Unlike my preview of the Seminoles/Ducks game, I do have a wager on this playoff game before it kicks off. We've got two historic programs meeting up with two head coaches who are very familiar with one another and the stakes couldn't be higher. Current Line at Pinnacle Sports: Ohio State (+9) vs. Alabama (-9); Total set at 58.5 Urban Meyer and Nick Saban are no strangers to one another from Meyer's SEC days when Florida and Alabama often met in the SEC Championship game with the winner going on to win it all. Although the program and conference may be different for Meyer, the talented roster he has remains the same. He is starting a QB who was 3rd on the depth chart coming into the year and making his second career CFB start (Cardale Jones) which is a bit concerning, but the way Jones played in dominating Wisconsin in the Big 10 title game is a good sign for Buckeyes fans. Yet, the one advantage Saban and Alabama have here that Wisconsin did not (aside from the month to prepare) is they've actually got game film on Jones and have a better idea of what to expect. Ohio State ran the ball very well in that 59-0 win and Meyer used that rushing success to open up the passing game for Jones. The problem this time around for Ohio State is that 'Bama knows how to stop the run and will not allow RB Ezekiel Elliot to run all over them and take control of the game. Alabama only allows 88 rushing yards per game and you know Saban and DC Kirby Smart will stack the box to limit the running game and force young Cardale Jones [...]

After battling some burnout the past few weeks, the holidays have recharged my batteries and I'll be back to posting regularly here at D Rock Sports. To begin I thought I'd give you my thoughts on the first college football playoff game this year as Florida State looks to prove their doubters wrong again with a win over Oregon. Current Line at Pinnacle Sports: Florida State (+8) vs. Oregon (-8); Total set at 71 The defending National Champions from Florida State have had the whole college football world against them this year as many are waiting for them to lose their first game since 2012. The Seminoles aren't nearly as dominant as they were a year ago, but surviving numerous close games and coming back from double digit halftime deficits this season could actually help them in these playoffs. This team knows how to perform with their backs against the wall and on the biggest stage, and that poise under pressure is a huge plus in a playoff game like this. The problem is, Florida State was just 3-10 ATS this year as bettors routinely got burned by waiting to pounce on the Seminoles to finally turn the corner and blow someone out. That was never the case and now they are listed as underdogs for the first time since the 2011 season. On the other side, Oregon has been blowing everyone out since their loss to Arizona in late-September and come into this one on an 8-0 ATS run. The lofty spreads haven't been a problem for Oregon during that time and their 9-4 ATS record this year as been a nice bankroll boost for their bettors. So who comes out on top? Well first [...]