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  • Saturday, November 26, 2022

Las Vegas - Apologies. All the folks that picked up my nationally syndicated America's Line newspaper column early this morning read this....

If you're up early, take a look at Poland over Saudi Arabia in the World Cup. As everyone knows, Saudi pulled off one of the YUGEST upsets in World Cup history in the opener, beating Argentina 2-1. After the win, they declared a national holiday in Saudi Arabia and EVERY member of the team was gifted with a ROLLS ROYCE!!! WHAT!Now they play a hungry group from Poland with the great Robert Lewandowski. And this time, when THE BODY, yea, that's his nickname, takes a penalty shot, he WILL NOT MISS!

Sadly, I WAS NOT up early and blaming it on Mrs. Ecks & Bacon for putting me into a hazy leftover induced coma. Poland won 2-0, and THE BODY put one in the net. I'll try and do better. On to Columbus.

It's not the National Championship Game, but the winner gets a chance to play for a title. Ohio State hosts Michigan as an eight point favorite, and this is one dog that can bark. We woulda been ALL in on the Wolverines, but there are gigantic problems surrounding the run game. Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards are both dealing with injuries. Corum left last week's game against Illinois with a knee, while Edwards didn't even play. Corum has gobbled 1,457 yards with 18 TDs. Edwards has picked up 471 yards with 4 TDs. That's almost 2,000 yards and 22 TDs. VERY tough to replace those numbers. However, Wolves QB J.J. McCarthy has been solid, completing 67% of his passes for 1,952 yards with 14 TDs and just 2 INTs. On the other side of the field, the Buckeyes have a legit Heisman Trophy candidate in C.J. Stroud. No doubt that Stroud's stats trump McCarthy's, hitting on 66% of his throws, for 2,991 yards with 35 TDs and only 4 INTs. So here's the plan. If Michigan can get Corum and Edwards on the field, then it's a big fat bet on Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines. If both are out, then we still might tickle the Wolves, but just a very, very light tickle.

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