The Locksmith's Pick Six: Week 14

Championship weekend sets up with a series of top showdowns

In light of the news involving Sports Illustrated this week it's time for the Locksmith to come clean about his lousy 2023 selections. After three straight years of a winning record against the spread, this year will be a losing one. The reason? Sports Illustrated assigned an AI bot to take over the Locksmith's picks.

The fake Locksmith even has a profile picture (kind of a George Clooney look alike) and a bio (needlepoint helps him relax).

As bad as that is -- and it's still a mystery as to what the AI bot did with the Locksmith's real picks every week -- it could be worse. Look at the remarkably shallow choice of Deion Sanders as the magazine's Sportsperson of the Year.

Okay, so he energized a lifeless program (by going 4-8 overall, 1-8 in the league, flailing around as a team the final two months of a season -- a team that did not look to be particularly well coached).

If AI had been paying attention it would have named the people responsible for dramatically altering the college landscape forever with expansion and the dissolution of the Pac-12.

That's significant.

Deion Sanders is a spokesperson for Aflac.

That's AI for you.

On to the games, although there is no assurance these will be the Locksmith's actual picks:

    

TULANE over Smu, giving 3 1/2

The Green Wave, 11-1, get a home game for the AAC title game, which should help a team that has been going through the motions the past few weeks. The outlook on this game changed when SMU lost QB Preston Stone for the year due to a broken fibula. QB Michael Pratt and RB Makhi Hughes are sitting on big games.

Washington over Oregon, taking 10 (at Las Vegas)

 Yeah, yeah. Oregon has been on a roll and QB Bo Nix will probably win the Heisman (if he doesn't bomb here). But the Huskies still have Michael Penix Jr. and a dangerous passing game and they did win the regular season meeting. I know the Vegas sharpies are begging us to take Washington and the points because they expect an Oregon romp, but the Huskies are 12-0 -- and they're pretty good.

Texas over Oklahoma State, giving 15 (at Arlington)

Watch as the Longhorns make a statement about their playoff worthiness here. Cowboys are a pretty average team with a below average QB in Alan Bowman, who has more interceptions than TD passes. Texas' D-line will make the night miserable for Bowman and RB Ollie Gordon, the only real offense OSU has.

Alabama over Georgia, taking 5 1/2 (at Atlanta)

Bama sure was lucky to escape Auburn last week, but the Tide had been playing at a high level for several games prior to that. The offense looks like it is finally in synch and Georgia's penchant for slow starts could wind up costing the Bulldogs here. This is Alabama, a team you do not want to give any edge to in a game of this magnitude.

Alabama and points? Yes please.

Louisville over Florida State, taking 1 1/2 (at Charlotte)

 Seminoles survived mediocre Florida without QB Jordan Travis but can the offense keep pace with this point-happy Louisville attack? The key will be the Cards keeping pressure from FSU's menacing defensive line off of QB Jack Plummer.

Michigan over Iowa, giving 21 1/2 (at Indianapolis) 

Here's the key: Will Iowa and that dreadful 1920s offense, led by what is essentially a clunky robot at quarterback, score? Thinking the answer is no -- or maybe a field goal (or two). Looking at 31-3 here.

Last week vs. Spread: 3-3

Season to date vs. spread: 32-42-2