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Sergio De La Espriella

"The Napkin" Week 13 Preview - Black Friday Edition

Black Friday. A day where stores across the nation have incredible deals as a way to kick start the holiday shopping season.


For us CFB junkies, it means Thanksgiving leftovers and the beginning of Rivalry Week. This season won't include the entire slate of rivalry games we usually get. Some big inter-conference rivalries were put on hold this year due to COVID-19 forcing conferences only schedules. No UF-FSU 😔.


Regardless, there is still a good slate of games to watch while you devour that turkey sandwich on Friday.


Here is a special edition of, "The Napkin."


MONEYLINE


#15 Iowa State (+105) vs #20 Texas - 12:00PM, ABC


In the words of the great Tyler K. Williams, "Brock Purdy is really good." He's right. I already openly admitted I was wrong for doubting him earlier this year. We're past that. Iowa State apparently isn't. "Brocktober" has lasted well into November as Iowa State dominated Kansas State last week to all but ensure them a spot in the Big 12 title game. On the other hand, Texas needs to beat the Cyclones in order to have any hope of making the Big 12 championship game. They need to win this game and hope Oklahoma slips up over the next two weeks. Personally, I don't see that happening.


SPREADS


Nebraska vs Iowa (-13.5) - 1:00PM, FOX


Iowa is 3-1 and there's an argument to be made that they should be 4-0. Their one loss was a 21-20 dogfight against a surprisingly gritty Northwestern team that will be playing in the Big 10 title game. Nebraska, on the other hand, just can't seem to keep their foot out of their mouth. All they do is talk about being disrespected and complain about the BIG 10's COVID decisions. I've never seen a team complain so much, only to be embarrassed on the field week in and week out. I'll sleep like a baby laying the two TDs here.


Stanford (+1.5) vs Cal - 4:00PM, FOX


I don't think this is a pick for Stanford, rather it's a pick against Cal. I know Tyler is extremely high on Cal QB Chase Garbers, but he has not looked good in his first two games this season. I like Stanford getting points on the road here and I'm just gonna hope that they're capable enough to pull this off.


TEASER OF THE DAY - 6 POINTS


#9 Oregon (-7.5) vs Oregon State - 7:30PM, ESPN

#2 Notre Dame vs #25 UNC (+10.5) - 3:30PM, ABC

UCF (-19) vs USF - 3:30PM, ESPN


1) I'll be honest, I wasn't feeling great about Oregon after their game against UCLA. A top 15 team should be comfortably beating a lower-end Pac-12 team playing a back-up QB. Oregon State is playing really well. The rivalry formerly known as the Civil War hasn't been competitive lately, with Oregon winning 11 of the last 12. But Oregon State played a competitive game in Eugene last year. Joe Moorhead needs to call a fantastic game as Oregon OC in order for the CFP committee to take them seriously given the lack of games they will play this year.


2) North Carolina can hang with any team. Their offense, led by Future Las Vegas Raider Sam Howell, can score at will and they love to go vertical against teams. Even though Notre Dame lost two offensive linemen to injury, their run game should still be efficient. I anticipate this to be a high scoring game with the 10.5 points being enough insurance since Howell can go score for score with Notre Dame QB Ian Book.


3) UCF has a fantastic offense. Their QB Dillon Gabriel consistently throws for at least 350 yards and their tempo exhausts defenses. USF is in year 0 of a rebuild that won't really take shape until at least a couple of years from now, especially after this whirlwind of a season. On top of that, there are rumors that QB McKenzie Milton could make his return to in-game action two years after suffering a horrific leg injury that almost needed an amputation. If he does return, it would be on the same field where that injury took place, against their biggest rival, despite all the odds. Not only will I be rooting for a three TD victory, but seeing Milton return to the field would be an optimistic moment towards the end of a very pessimistic year.


"THE NAPKIN"



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