2024 NFL Pick ‘Em Week 18 & College Football Predictions Round 3

You should probably listen to me when it comes to making picks. I was 12-4 last week. This means I had three weeks this year with 12+. Jon is the only other person to have a multi-12+ year, and his was only two. I was four ahead of Ryan and Sean, which puts me up by ten. 

Underdog Special: Kansas City Chiefs (+10.5)
I looked pretty smart last week with that parley (thanks Chargers, Bills, Eagles). This week I am taking the Chiefs. I know they are resting most of their starters. I know the Broncos have to win to get into the playoffs. And yet, I have this feeling the game will be close. Carson Wentz would love to ruin someone’s playoff hopes (it happened to him when he was with the Colts). I think the Broncos will pull out the win, but it will be a fight.
Underdog Special Record: 6-11 (+$6.91)

Steelers Prediction: The Steelers are going to lose. Maybe they should just rest everyone and accept they are going to lose…they would probably end up winning.
Steelers Prediction Record: 10-6

I was 3-1 again with my college picks. Granted, I was way wrong about the Ohio State game, but I was pretty close on the Penn State and Notre Dame scores. The first half of the Texas game was going exactly as I said, but then Cam Skattebo took over. 

Who do I have this week?

Orange Bowl
#2 Penn State Nittany Lions (13-2) vs. #5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (13-1)
Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida
Favorite: Notre Dame (-2.0)
O/U: 45.5
My Score Prediction: 21-20 PSU
My Take: A defensive battle. Notre Dame will take the lead late, but Penn State will score a game-winning touchdown in the final two minutes. 

Cotton Bowl
#7 Ohio State Buckeyes (12-2) vs. #3 Texas Longhorns (13-2)
AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
Favorite: Ohio State (-6.0)
O/U: 53.5
My Score Prediction: 38-21 Ohio State
My Take: The Longhorns will strike first. They open the game by going down the field and scoring a touchdown. It will be their last touchdown of the first half. The Buckeyes will take over the game and be up 28-7 at halftime. Ten points quickly in the third quarter will put it away, which will be the Longhorns time to shine. Two touchdowns toward the end make it look a little more respectable.