Your Pigskins and Ponies Picks for Dec. 31-Jan. 3

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
Here we are at the heart of college football’s bowl season. 
While we haven’t done the best against the spread - I still can’t believe I picked NC State, I was watching that game like I had Mississippi State -5 the whole time - it’s been a lot of fun watching some of these games. 
From Jared Goff throwing six touchdowns to Leonard Fournette accounting for five himself, we’ve seen some memorable performances. 
In regards to my preview picks, we were one up and one down in bowl week two. LSU ran away with the Texas Bowl against Texas Tech, while Wisconsin’s defense proved beyond worthy, limiting USC’s offense and winning the Holiday Bowl. 
Overall, not a very good mark when it comes to record ATS this bowl season, but that can change with the week of heavy hitters. 
Pre-Bowl Best Bets: 2-1
Last Week: 8-10
Bowl Record - 12-16 (.464)
Season Total: 48-36-1 (.57) 
Bowl Week 3
Thursday, Dec. 31
Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl - Atlanta, Ga.
Houston vs. Florida State -7
Noon - ESPN
Todd Herman has done great things at Houston during his brief tenure there so far. Another great task for him is stopping Dalvin Cook on the quick turf of the Georgia Dome. I think that will prove too much for the Cougars. Florida State wins and covers.
College Football Playoff Semifinal
Capital One Orange Bowl - Miami Gardens, Fla.
Oklahoma vs. Clemson +3.5
4 p.m. – ESPN
The best player in this game is the quarterback for the underdog - the undefeated, No. 1-ranked underdog.  Is it because Clemson’s schedule turned out to be pretty weak? Is it because Oklahoma is the hot, trendy team coming into the Playoffs? Let’s remember, I had Oklahoma as my sleeper playoff team halfway through the season, and after the Texas loss. This is no surprise to me, but the spread is a bit surprising … The Sooners favored by more than a field goal? I just don’t buy it. Even if Oklahoma wins, let’s say by a field goal, Clemson still covers. And I think Clemson’s defense, combined with the greatness that is DeShaun Watson will keep it close. Regardless of the outcome, Clemson covers.
College Football Playoff Semifinal
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic - Arlington, Texas
Michigan State +10 vs. Alabama
8 p.m. - ESPN
Michigan State’s defense has vastly improved over the past four games, but nothing can prepare a team for what Alabama brings to the table - a guy by the name of Derrick Henry. I think MSU’s front seven will be able to contain Henry, somewhat. He won’t be quite the difference maker when it comes to the final score. The real match-ups to watch here are the respective passing games. Jacob Coker isn’t he most flashy quarterback, but neither is MSU’s secondary. Same intrigue on the other side of the ball. Can a healthy Connor Cook keep the Spartans in the game against a Kirby Smart-less defense? I think the Tide win, but MSU plays to competition - like I’ve mentioned numerous times before. I think 10 points is just too many … MSU covers.
MICHIGAN STATE PLAYS TO THEIR COMPETITION

By Goodbar73 (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Friday, Jan. 1, 2016
Outback Bowl - Tampa, Fla.
Northwestern +8.5 vs. Tennessee
Noon - ESPN2
Never give Pat Fitzgerald and his bunch 8.5 points! I’ve been killing it when picking Northwestern games this year, as well as Tennessee, and you can’t give the ‘Cats 8.5 in this bowl. I think, personally, it’s an easy cover. Northwestern can wear you down with that B1G rushing attack and defense. I’ve got the ‘Cats.
Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl - Orlando, Fla.
Michigan -4 vs. Florida
1 p.m. – ABC
The battle of the two first-year head coaches will go to the one who undoubtedly has gotten more of the coverage - probably ten-fold. That man’s name is Jim Harbaugh, and he has coached this roster into the talented football players they were recruited as out of high school. You can recruit all the 5-stars you want, Brady Hoke, but you gotta coach ‘em into those cleats. Harbaugh has done that, and these kids will win it for ol’ Jimmy.
Battlefrog Fiesta Bowl - Glendale, Ariz.
Notre Dame vs. Ohio State -6
1 p.m. - ESPN
This game has the big motivation question for me. Will the Buckeyes be motivated to play this game? Will Elliott run 100 percent knowing this is his last game before the combine and NFL draft? Will he try to avoid injury? This isn’t the playoffs or National Championship game, will Ohio State even care? It’s Notre Dame, and yes they will care. If you don’t get up when playing the Fighting Irish, you shouldn’t be playing college ball. Ohio State wins and covers.
Rose Bowl presented by Northwestern Mutual - Pasadena, Calif.
Stanford vs. Iowa +6
5 p.m. - ESPN
I’m absolutely staying on the B1G ATS roll this week with picking the Hawkeyes. I actually think they will not only cover, but win this game. There will be too many Iowans out in Pasadena for this team to disappoint. Check the moneyline out, because the Hawks are shutting down either Hogan or McCaffrey and winning this thing in a slugfest.
IOWA FOOTBALL

By Phil Roeder [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Allstate Sugar Bowl - New Orleans, Louisiana
Ole Miss -7.5 vs. Oklahoma State
8 p.m. - ESPN 
The Cowboys have really fizzled out as the season came to an end. The Sugar Bowl is still a great consolation prize for the season had, by both these squads. Ole Miss just has so much more talent, sans Robert Nkemdiche.
Saturday, Jan. 2
TaxSlayer Bowl - Jacksonville, Fla.
Penn State vs. Georgia -6.5
Noon - ESPN
I’m hopping back off the B1G bandwagon for this one. I’m not too sure if we all saw too much in Christian Hackenberg, or we haven’t seen him on his feet enough to get a good look at him. Either way, Georgia by a TD.
AutoZone Liberty Bowl - Memphis, Tenn.
Kansas State +13 vs. Arkansas
3:20 p.m. - ESPN
It’s the Liberty Bowl, and a Big 12 team is nearly a two touchdown underdog against Bert and the Hogs. Give me Coach Snyder to cover! He’s too nice of a man not to.
Valero Alamo Bowl - San Antonio, Texas
TCU vs. Oregon +1
6:45 p.m. - ESPN
I don’t like what’s going on with the TCU team, especially over the last couple of hours. They will have a packed joint in San Antonio as this is a PRIME match-up outside of the New Year’s Six. But don’t forget the Oregon contingent. I’ll take the “O” in Texas.
Motel 6 Cactus Bowl - Phoenix, Ariz.
West Virginia vs. Arizona State +1.5
10:15 p.m. - ESPN
Cactus Bowl. I mean, it literally has Cactus in the name. It’s in Phoenix. Give me the Sun Devils.
Pro Pigskins – by Joe Kristufek
You like that? The opinions were very good once again last week and the result was a 4-2 record.
The underdog Redskins and Jets won outright and the favored Cardinals and Bills both covered. The Broncos fell a half-point short against the Bengals and the Giants ineptitude on offense (horrible turnovers) actually helped push the total over against the Vikings.
Since starting the year 2-10, we’ve gone 43-32 against the number.
Last week: 4-2
Season Total: 45-42-4 (.517)
Week 17
Sunday, Jan. 3
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons OVER 52.5
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants OVER 51.5
and Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears OVER 46
I am a big believer in playing the OVER in meaningless games. Players do not want to go into the off season injured and that mindset often results in an additional score or two during the game. Above are match-ups I like where this angle applies.
St. Louis Rams -3.5 at San Francisco 49ers
Going into the season, I was convinced the Rams were a playoff team but QB Nick Foles turned out to be an even bigger dud than Sam Bradford. Case Keenum isn’t the answer moving forward, but he’s composed and excellent at managing a game and letting his top notch defense do their job. Off last week’s win at Seattle, their third straight, they’ll be motivated to end the season at 8-8 against an offensively challenged opponent.
THE RAMS CONTINUE THEIR LATE-SEASON STREAK

By Karen Blaha from Columbia, MO ([1]) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers UNDER 45.5
A few weeks back when the Packers beat down the Vikings in Minnesota, the chances of the two playing for the division title on closing night looked dim. Fortunes have reversed since then. The Packers were embarrassed last week at Arizona and you can bet they’re focused on going into the playoffs off a key win at home. The Vikings’ best chance is to run, play defense, take time off the clock and try to win it late. It’s a night game. It will be cold at Lambeau. I’m confident points will be at a premium. 
Ponies – by Joe Kristufek
2015 was a year no racing fan will ever forget. I hope you enjoyed it half as much as I did.
As it turned out, the heavy rains didn’t put a damper on last Saturday’s Fair Grounds selections. Two of our three picks scratched, but the lone runner, Bullards Alley, came through with a game, off-the-turf, Woodchopper win at generous odds of 4-1.
Confidence remains high, so we’ll once again double up on the wagers.
Last week (doubled up): 2-2-0-0 ($4 WPS * $12 wagered * $38.00 returned)
Season Total: 62-12-10-8 ($2 WPS * $372 wagered * $251.40 returned = $4.05)
Saturday, Jan. 2
Gulfstream Park – Hallandale Beach, Fla.
Race 3 – Hutcheson Stakes (G3)
#2 Awesome Banner (morning-line odds TBD)
Bet down to odds of 4-5 in his career debut back in June, this sophomore son of the under-the-radar sire Awesome of Course did everything right. He settled nicely, took over professionally and drew off with something left in a track-record time. He’s been rested since, but the work tab indicates that he hasn’t missed a beat.
Race 5 – Ginger Brew Stakes (G3)
#6 Auntie Joy (morning-line odds TBD)
Deceivingly well-bred for grass, this sophomore daughter of Uncle Mo was even more impressive than it appears on paper in her debut win over the Churchill grass. She’s trained steadily since for an underrated trainer and should offer a fair price.
GULFSTREAM BOASTS SUNSHINE AND GREAT RACING

Photo by Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing

Fair Grounds – New Orleans, La.
Race 6 – Bonapaw Stakes 
#4 Tanner’s Popsicle (morning line odds 6-1) 
Claimed for just $15,000 ten months ago, this guy has proved to be a bargain. His early November win at Churchill couldn’t have been more impressive. I’m not sure what happened last time out at Mahoning Valley, and his only previous turf effort was poor, but the recent workouts hint at a return to top form and the pedigree suggests that mowing the lawn shouldn’t be an issue.