THURSDAY NIGHT COLLEGE AND NFL FOOTBALL PICKS

We are heading into the home stretch in the college schedule and entering the second half of the NFL season. Tonight's slate gives us one potential blowout and another game that could be very exciting. Clemson heads to Wake Forest favored by 21 points as one of four and a half, yes, I said four and a half, ranked teams from the ACC. The half is for Notre Dame's quasi membership status in the league. In the pros, Ohio rivals Cleveland and Cincinnati square off on banks of the river that bears the state's name. This one should be close, unless the Bengals play like they did against Indianapolis and New England.

College:

(21) Clemson (6 - 2) 23 @ Wake Forest (2 - 6) 9: There have been seasons in the recent past where Wake Forest could have been competitive in this game, but the Demon Deacons look more like the Errant Elders. They've managed a paltry 37 points in their four consecutive ACC losses. Clemson is on a five game wining streak, but their offense has sputtered in the last two games. They should still have enough firepower to down the Deacs. The Tigers are still mathematically in contention for the ACC Atlantic crown, but they'll need Florida State to drop a couple of conference games. Not likely, but strange things happen in college football as the season winds down.

NFL:

Cleveland (5 - 3) 24 @ Cincinnati (5 - 2 - 1) 27: All of a sudden, the AFC North is a real dogfight. The four teams in the division are separated by just a game and a half as we get to the second half of the season. A Bengals' win would give them a sweep of the rest of the division in their first meetings, and put them a leg up in the tiebreaker. Both of these clubs have won their last two, looking to maintain some momentum. Statistically, they're similar, but the Bengals' two losses were blowouts to New England and Indianapolis, both on the road. Cincinnati is a different team at home and I expect them to keep that trend going tonight.