Your Pigskins and Ponies Picks for Nov. 20-23

The reality of today’s society is that most would rather pull the handle on a slot machine or hope for a blackjack than formulate an opinion and back it with a wager.
Whether pure luck comes into play or not, winning is fun, but to me, it’s a lot more satisfying when you have an opinion, you’re right, and you get paid for it. 
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 Vegas and am feared by fantasy football mavens nationwide, but when it comes to the college game, I chose 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!
Pro Pigskins – by Joe Kristufek
We got off to a good start last week when the Miami Dolphins handled the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night, but the Carolina Panthers failed against the Atlanta Falcons and the Detroit Lions’ offensive woes continued against the Arizona Cardinals.
Pro Football Trifecta
Last week: 1-2 (.333); Season Total: 14-19 (.424)
Sunday, Nov. 23
Cincinnati Bengals (+1) at Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET
After starting the year 3-0, the Bengals were widely viewed as one of the best teams in the National Football League. They are 3-3-1 since, but some of the inconsistency can be attributed to injuries. Wide receiver A. J. Green is now healthy, and the defense brought their A-game last week, holding New Orleans to just 10 points in the dome, which is almost unheard of. With the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns all vying for position within the division, this is a very important game for the Bengals. This time, I think they respond favorably.
St. Louis Rams (+4.5) at San Diego Chargers, 4:05 p.m. ET
Following an embarrassing 27-0 loss to Miami, the Chargers enter the week on a three-game losing streak. Of their five wins, only the victory against the Seattle Seahawks can be considered as “quality”. The Rams last eight games have been against playoff-quality opponents, and they count Seattle, the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos as upset victims. They’re a better team with Shaun Hill under center.
Seattle Seahawks (-6.5) vs. Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. ET
Given their records coming in, it’s a bit of a surprise that line is tilted so strongly toward the Seahawks, but there are lots of reasons to like them. This is a revenge game of sorts for the Seahawks, whose only loss at home during last year’s championship run came to the Cardinals. The crowd will be raucous. Arizona’s QB Drew Stanton is going to have his work cut out for him.
SEATTLE IS A TOUGH PLACE TO PLAY, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE SEAHAWKS ARE ANGRY

WikiMedia Commons
College Pigskins – by Derek Cooley
Let’s briefly take a look at our plays from a week ago.
A couple of tough beats, especially for Clemson freshman QB Deshaun Watson. Lucky number Week 13 is ahead though, poised to end this bit of a rough patch we’ve hit.
On to the next one...
College Football Pick Nine – Week 13
Last week: 3-6 (.333); Season Total: 32-41-1 (.439)
Thursday, Nov. 20
#12 Kansas State (+2) @ West Virginia (Thursday, 7 p.m. ET, FOX1)
Tough game a week ago for the Wildcats at TCU. They are better than they played in Fort Worth, Texas, and I expect a bounce back in another hostile environment, even on a short week. West Virginia doesn’t have as much to play for as they did when they nearly upset TCU in Morgantown, and that will have an effect Thursday evening.
Saturday, Nov. 22
#8 Ole Miss (-3.5) @ Arkansas (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS)
With what basically equates to a week off, the Rebels will be ready to get back on track in the SEC West. Arkansas is tough in Fayetteville, and we’ve seen this recently … but this game is all too important for Ole Miss. It will be close, but Ole Miss will cover the 3 1/2 points.
#9 UCLA (-3.5) vs. #19 USC (8 p.m. ET, ABC)
Brett Hundley and the Bruins are turning it up at the right time. Under the lights, at the Rose Bowl and a brand new spot in the top 10, I like what UCLA has going for them right now.
#13 Arizona State (-16) vs. Washington State (11 p.m. ET, PAC12 Network)
Arizona State is not happy after last week’s upset loss at Oregon State. That’s not good news, at all, for Wazzou and Freshman QB Luke Falk (once had an offer from FSU, walked-on to Washington State). 
#15 Arizona (+4) @ #17 Utah (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
This game will be close regardless, and Arizona may just be the better team. Giving them four points makes this a little easier to take. Plus, one team was able to finish Oregon (in Eugene, Ore.), and one team wasn’t.
#20 Missouri (+3.5) @ Tennessee (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
The road-warrior Missouri Tigers control their own destiny in the SEC East. I’ll roll with the Tigers in Knoxville, Tenn.
Iowa (+10) vs. #10 Wisconsin (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
A late November Saturday afternoon at Kinnick Stadium is no cakewalk. Remember, Melvin Gordon ran all over Northwestern, but the Badgers were handled pretty easily in all other phases en route to a loss in Evanston, Ill. Iowa will be tough, and this game will be gritty. Expect it to go down to the wire.
#23 Nebraska (-10.5) vs  #25 Minnesota (noon ET, ESPN)
I’ve seen this script before. A close loss at home against a great team in a big game breeds to a letdown the following week …  especially on the road. Nebraska will feel welcome and revitalized not having to see Melvin Gordon again. Nebraska wins pretty handily in this one.

WikiMedia Commons
Notre Dame (-3.5) vs. #24 Louisville (3:30 p.m. ET, NBC)
The Fighting Irish will rebound from the ugly loss a week ago. I mean, Notre Dame has to stay somewhat relevant … I’m sure of it. A borderline Top 25 Louisville team visiting a newly unranked Notre Dame team in South Bend? This is the type of game the Irish seem capable of getting up for.
Ponies – by Joe Kristufek
Kiss Moon was on a 3-length lead in the stretch, but she tired in the final furlong of the Mrs. Revere Stakes, and settled for third at 29.70-1. She narrowly missed second.
Highball finished a credible but non-threatening fourth in the Commonwealth Turf Stakes, and when the race was taken off the grass, Super Soldier scratched from the Buck’s Boy Stakes at Hawthorne.
Last week: 2-0-0-1 ($2 WPS * $12 wagered * $11.40 returned)
Season Total: 33-12-5-2 ($2 WPS * $198 wagered * $278.80 returned = $8.45 ROI) 
Saturday, Nov. 22
Churchill Downs – Louisville, Ky.
Race 9 – Cardinal Handicap (G3)
#1 I’m Already Sexy (morning-line odds 3-1)
A seven-time winner from 17 starts, this 4-year-old daughter of Ready’s Image is not afraid to mix it up. Speed is her natural weapon, and from the rail she can go if the pace is soft or sit the pocket trip if others force the issue.
Delta Downs – Vinton, La.
Race 6 – Delta Downs Princess (G3)
#7 Vivian Da Bling (morning-line odds 3-1)
A dominating winner of three of her four starts, her only loss came in the Grade 2 Adirondack Stakes at Saratoga, and she had an excuse for that. She won the local prep for fun and there’s no reason to think she won’t run another huge race today. 
VIVIAN DA BLING

Coady Photography
Race 7 – Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes (G3)
#5 Saratoga Heater (morning-line odds 15-1)
Since adding blinkers, this New York-bred has won consecutive races in very professional fashion. His lack of a run on a fast track leaves questions, but top trainer Al Stall lured Joel Rosario to the saddle, and the price is right.