2024 NFL Pick ‘Em Week 16 & College Football Playoff Predictions Round 1

Making picks is hard. Two weeks ago I only picked three. Last week? Twelve. Totally makes sense. Crazy enough, Ryan was right behind me with eleven. The end of the season is heating up between us. He is still just three behind, and I messed up this week by not clicking on a team for the Thursday night game. Ughhh. 

Underdog Special: NO ONE
Okay, I do not like any of the underdogs. I picked Houston, but I think if Mahomes plays, they probably win the game. Pickens is not playing, so I am not sure feeling good about the Steelers game. And the Giants? I think it will be a low-scoring, ugly game, but I do not want to put money on it. So, instead, I will do a three-team parley: Cardinals, Lions, and Colts. Look, I need a win after a few weeks of rough losses.
Underdog Special Record: 5-10 (+.40)

Steelers Prediction: The Ravens are going to win this week. And I have a feeling that it will be an ugly loss. I was wrong last week. Although I did predict that the defense would bottle up Saquon, and that Watt would get some pressure on Hurts. But I forgot about AJ Brown.
Steelers Prediction Record: 8-6

Now it is time to move on from the NFL and talk about college football. My first round predictions are here now! Reminder, the rankings are from my most recent rankings.

#11 Indiana Hoosiers (11-1) at #5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-1)
Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana
Favorite: Notre Dame (-7.0)
O/U: 51.5
My Score Prediction: 37-28 ND
My Take: I think the Irish defense will be too much for the Hoosiers. But, Cignetti will have his team ready to go and I think they come out shooting. I am going out on a limb and saying the Hoosiers lead 14-0 early, but then Notre Dame gets a big defensive play, and Riley Leonard takes over the game. 

#10 SMU Mustangs (11-2) at #2 Penn State Nittany Lions (11-2)
Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania
Favorite: Penn State (-8.5)
O/U: 53.5
My Score Prediction: 35-20 PSU
My Take: SMU scores first, but that will be about the extent of the fun for the Mustangs. I think Drew Allar has a big game, and for once it is not because of Tyler Warren (he has some catches), but instead we see the receivers making big plays this game. The hero is going to be Liam Clifford. Also, I think the score looks closer than the game ends up. 35-7 in the 4th quarter, Franklin pulls some starters to keep them healthy.

#14 Clemson Tigers (10-3) at #4 Texas Longhorns (11-2)
DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas
Favorite: Texas (-12.0)
O/U: 51.5
My Score Prediction: 41-39 Clemson
My Take: We get a shootout between Cade Klubnik and Quinn Ewers. Clemson proves the doubters wrong by beating the Longhorns.

#6 Tennessee Volunteers (10-2) at #7 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2)
Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio
Favorite: Ohio State (-7.5)
My Score Prediction: 21-13 Ohio State
My Take: This will not be a pretty game. The Vols offense hinges on being able to run, which the Buckeyes are quite capable of stopping. The Ohio State offense will just do their thing, which is not very impressive for all the hype they get, but they get the job done.