Your Pigskins and Ponies Picks for Dec. 4-7

When playing Pigskins and Ponies, it’s important to take advantage of your Hoppertunities!
Betting on 50 races, or 15 football games, in a weekend rarely proves fruitful.
If you have a strong opinion, back it with conviction.
If you don’t have a strong opinion, either pass altogether or make a token play for action. 
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
I’m a Chicago Bears fan, but I’m also realistic, and playing the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day was a no brainer. Unfortunately, the Pittsburgh Steelers laid an egg at home against the New Orleans Saints and the Cincinnati Bengals were lucky to win and they failed to cover against the Tampa Bay Bucs.
Pro Football Trifecta
Last week: 1-2 (.333); Season Total: 18-21 (.462)
Sunday, Dec. 7
New York Jets (+6) at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET
The Jets aren’t very good, but they are better than the two wins they’ve collected. They ran the snot out of the ball Monday night, but came up just short against the playoff-quality Miami Dolphins. Cold weather games against offensively challenged opponents give them the best chance to win, and that’s exactly what they’ll see on Sunday. Buoyed by a pair of blocked punts for touchdowns, the Vikings dominated the Carolina Panthers on the scoreboard last week, but don’t be fooled. The rest of their game was far from impressive. 
EXPECT REX RYAN TO HAVE THE JETS READY

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San Francisco 49ers (-8) at Oakland Raiders, 4:25 p.m. ET
The 49ers are desperate. The Raiders are coming off a smashing defeat. I don’t see how the Raiders can score enough to keep this one close and this should be the week the 49ers offense gets back in sync. 
Seattle Seahawks (+1) at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m. ET
They may be the best team in football, but in order to even make the playoffs, the Seahawks need to keep winning. Mark Sanchez has performed admirably since taking the reins, but the Packers made him uncomfortable three weeks ago and the Seahawks defense is clicking on all cylinders right now. The Eagles like to get pressure on the quarterback, but Russell Wilson’s escapability should allow him to make a couple of big plays down the field against thin coverage.   
College Pigskins – by Derek Cooley
Last week was basically a wash.
Michigan back-doored us with a late touchdown, turning a would-be profit into a minor, yet frustrating, loss.   
On to the next one ...
College Football Pick Nine – Week 15
Last week: 4-5 (.444); Season Total: 42-49-1 (.462)
Friday, Dec. 5
NIU (-6.5) vs. Bowling Green (6 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
The NIU Huskies, in my opinion, won the MAC title when beating Western Michigan last weekend. Bowling Green has had some nice spots in the season, but right now they are limping into Detroit. NIU by two touchdowns.
#2 Oregon (-14.5) vs. #7 Arizona (8 p.m. ET, FOX)
This is the year for Marcus Mariota, and you know what they say ... it's always tough to beat a team for the second time in one year. The faithful Ducks fans will pack Levi's Stadium in San Francisco to see their team roll into the playoffs
Saturday, Dec. 6
#3 TCU (-34) vs. Iowa State (11 a.m. ET, ABC)
Considering how close some teams are to TCU's spot in the playoffs, and also taking into account that those teams (Ohio State, Baylor, Florida State) are playing stiff competition ... AND some for a conference title, the Horned Frogs need to DESTROY Iowa State. They need the win and the style points that come along with it.
#1 Alabama (-14.5) vs. #16 Missouri (3 p.m. ET, CBS)
After scoring 55 points, the Cromson Tide is rolling ... however, Kirby Smart's defense gave up 44 in the Iron Bowl. I just know the Alabama coaching staff will have this defense prepared to dominate the SEC title game.
#9 Kansas State (+7.5) @ #6 Baylor (6:45 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Bryce Petty may not be 100% after leaving last week's win over Texas Tech (by only 2 points) with a mild concussion. Combine that with what Baylor did to Kansas State's season two years ago and you have the ingredients for upset.
#11 Georgia Tech (+4.5) vs. #4 Florida State (7 p.m. ET, ABC)
The country wants Georgia Tech to win. The crowd in Charlotte won't favor GT with how well the Seminoles crew travels, but it will be close. Will this finally be the game Florida State cannot finish? Or will they squeak out a 3-point victory once again? Either way, the Ramblin' Wreck covers.
#13 Wisconsin (-4) vs. #5 Ohio State (7:17 p.m. ET, FOX)
The Badgers have Melvin Gordon, the Buckeyes do NOT have J.T. Barrett. They will have a red-shirt sophomore who freshman Barrett beat out for the starting Buckeyes QB job after the Braxton Miller injury. Plus, take a look at Ohio State's run defense ... and you'll see it's really not that good.
EXPECT MELVIN GORDON TO RUN RAMPANT

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UConn (-11.5) vs. SMU (11 a.m. ET, CBSSports)
SMU is just REALLY bad, and the great North East will not be kind to the 0-11 team from Texas. UConn wins easily.
Cincinnati (-6.5) vs. Houston (11 a.m. ET, ESPN)
Gunner Kiel has impressed at QB for the Bearcats during their current, six-game winning streak. He gives Cincy the big-time edge going into this game at Paul Brown Stadium. 
Ponies – by Joe Kristufek
It was a slightly productive Thanksgiving weekend for us at Churchill.
Flashy American was hung 5-wide on the turn in the Falls City Handicap. She finished fourth, but was only beaten by a little more than a length at 10.50-1 odds.
Hoppertunity stamped himself as a force to be reckoned with in the handicap division by taking the Clark Handicap as the slight favorite.
No Fault of Mine shook off inexperience and closed strongly to finish a good second in the Golden Rod Stakes at odds of 7-2.
Last week: 3-1-1-0 ($2 WPS * $18 wagered * $22.80 returned)
Season Total: 39-13-6-2 ($2 WPS * $234 wagered * $301.60 returned = $7.73 ROI)
Gulfstream Park, Hallandale, Fla.
Saturday, Dec. 6
Claiming Crown
Race 3 – Iron Horse Stakes
#9 Gimmeadrink (morning-line odds TBA)
This 7-year-old gelding got really good this summer at Arlington, rattling off three consecutive wins. Those scores came on the synthetic Polytrack surface, but his dirt form is rock solid, too, and he was freshened a bit by solid connections with this spot in mind. Speed is a natural weapon, so he should relish the main track action at Gulfstream.
Race 7 –  Canterbury Stakes
#13 Mongol Bull (morning-line odds TBA)
Claimed for $20,000 one year ago, this turf sprint specialist has been a revelation for his current connections, winning four races while on the rise. He truly legitimized himself last time out, finishing second in the Grade 3 Woodford Stakes at Keeneland at odds of 56.70-1. Today’s post makes his task tougher, but the risk should be worth the potential reward.
Race 9 – Emerald Stakes
#8 Midnight Notes (morning-line odds TBA)
A model of consistency on grass, this 4-year-old was claimed out of his most recent run for $40,000 with this spot in mind. He can stick and stay close if the pace is soft or chill farther back if the early fractions are quick. He’s enjoyed success on this course and enters the race as sharp as a tack.