After a 5-3 week of Thanksgiving, my record stands at a respectable 32-24-2. I’m a little worried this weekend though because I agree with Colin on a couple of my picks. I’m usually hot at the beginning and end of each season so get ready for a little streak. Here we go!………-Fireman Mike

Nebraska +14 vs. Texas

To say Texas has a lot to play for is like saying Tiger Woods might lose a couple bucks if he gets divorced. Texas has a BCS title game appearance on the line and this game means everything to them. But look on the other side of the field and you will find one of the most motivated teams in the country that is playing with a chip on their shoulder due to a lack of respect.

Bo Pelini will play the underdog card all week, something Texas fans should be afraid of. The Huskers have one of the stoutest defensive units in the country led by DT Ndamukong Suh who could be playing for the #1 overall spot in the NFL Draft this weekend. Nebraska has held their opponents to an average of 11 points per game. When you think about this game think Oklahoma-Texas, when the Longhorns were contained but still found a way to win 16-13.

Texas pulls out the victory and gives Colt McCoy an opportunity to ride into the sunset but they do it in a close fashion, winning 24-16, to give the Huskers some respect and us some cash.

Cincinnati Bearcats PK @ Pittsburgh Panthers

The Panthers have overachieved all season. They were able to navigate their way through the Big East conference undefeated until last week but did so in a less than impressive manner. The only thing that matters is wins and losses at the end of the day but not when money is on the line.

Cincinnati is an extremely disciplined, smart football team with everything on the line. After they win, they will instantly become Nebraska fans and hope the numbers in the BCS system go their way. Nobody knows if a win over Pitt and a Texas loss will be enough for the Bearcats to jump TCU in the polls but their mind is set on winning.

Brian Kelly’s team has answered the bell every time it’s rung this season and this weekend will be no different. They have averaged close to 40 points per game and play a defense that is susceptible to the pass, giving up big number against team with the ability to throw the ball down field. Pitt’s Bill Stull has been very solid at quarterback this season but he’s never had to win a game by himself and he will have to once the Bearcats put up a couple quick touchdowns early in the game.

The Bearcats have no problem giving up yards on the ground and still winning games. They’ve done it all season long and this weekend will be no different. In order for a team to beat Cincy, they must be able to throw the ball yard for yard with them and I can’t see that happening this weekend against Pitt.

The Bearcats win, 44-31, and become the biggest Cornhusker fans in the country on Saturday night.

Steelers -14 vs. Raiders

This game has blowout written all over it. The Steelers are still in the middle of the playoff hunt in a crazy AFC that will come down to the final week to decide its playoff personnel. Ben Roethlisberger returns to give Pittsburgh the boost that they need.

The Raiders have been absolutely atrocious this season but a little better lately since Bruce Gradkowski has taken over at the quarterback position. Still, there offense lacks any sort of firepower and will be hard pressed to make big plays against a stifling Pittsburgh defense. In order to beat the Steelers you need to make at least four big plays in the span of the game and it doesn’t seem like a reasonable expectation for the Raiders.

Pittsburgh opens up an early lead and blows the Raiders out, 37-10, in a game that isn’t close for an extended period of time.

Giants +2 vs. Cowboys

This is my bet of the week.

The Giants are in a must win position and they have all the tools in order to make it happen. They have fallen on tough times due to their inability to make and stop the big play over the last seven weeks but some extra time off will be exactly what the doctor ordered.

The Giants have been a better road team over the past couple seasons but when they need to win at home, they come through. The Giants know with a win this weekend they will be right back in the mix for a playoff spot in the NFC and they will get help from some costly Tony Romo turnovers along the way.

The Cowboys have not been the same team in December over the last four seasons and until things change I have no reason to trust them in pressure situations.

The Giants win, 27-17, and put themselves right back in the hunt in the NFC East.

Saints -9.5 @ Redskins

Sometimes you just have to use simplistic reasoning when betting on a football game. This is one of those games.

Let’s say the Saints have a down week offensively and only score 30 points, which is seven points below their season average and a point total they failed to reach only three times this season with outputs of 24, 27 and 28. The Redskins would have to score 21 points in order to cover the spread, six points above their season average and a point total they have only reached on two occasions this season with outputs of 24 and 27.

I like the chances of the high powered Saints offense, still battling for home field advantage in the NFC, to come into DC and put points on the board early and often. Their defense also makes timely plays and has held some of the best offensive teams in the league in check for 60 minutes. The Redskins are far from elite offensively and have trouble scoring against teams like St. Louis, Kansas City and Tampa Bay. Here’s a stat you won’t hear anywhere else; whenever the Redskins play a team with multiple names in their city they only average 12 points a game.

I don’t care about short weeks or the Saints coming off a big, emotional victory. This is a mismatch that has to be taken advantage of. If the Saints flop and the Redskins play their best game of the season, this might still be a 10-point win in favor of New Orleans.

The Saints win, 37-13, and never let the game get within 14 points after the first quarter.