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          Scott Van Pelt's 'Winners': Michigan advances, Giants cover

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          'Give me Liberty or give me debt' SVP picks his weekend winners (2:50)

          Scott Van Pelt likes taking the points as he looks ahead to some of the upcoming football games this weekend. (2:50)

          • Scott Van Pelt, Host, SportsCenter with SVPDec 30, 2023, 01:43 PM
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              Scott Van Pelt joined ESPN in Spring 2001 as the network's lead professional golf reporter. He has since become a SportsCenter anchor, primarily hosting the 11 p.m. ET edition while remaining the lead reporter and host of the network's coverage of golf's grand slam events. In April 2008 he was named co-host of ESPN Radio's Tirico & Van Pelt weekday show (2-4 p.m. ET on weekdays). A native of Brookville, Md., Van Pelt graduated from the University of Maryland with a bachelor's degree in radio/television and film.

          This close to the big breakthrough last week ... Instead, we settle for 3-2. Whatever. Nobody cares. Five more for this week: Three bowls and a couple in the NFL. You will hate them. Which is probably good.

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          Bowl picks

          ReliaQuest Bowl

          Wisconsin Badgers vs. LSU Tigers (-10, 55.5)
          Monday, Noon on ESPN2          , Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.

          Van Pelt's pick: Wisconsin +!0

          LSU beat a Big Ten team last year in a bowl by about 100. So, this is a scary word to say -- Wisconsin. Sure, Badgers getting double-digits.

          SVP: 3-0 all-time when picking Big Ten teams vs. SEC teams

          Vrbo Fiesta Bowl

          Liberty Flames vs. Oregon Ducks (-16.5, 67.5)
          Monday, 1           p.m. ET on ESPN, State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.

          Van Pelt's pick: Liberty +16.5

          Give me Liberty -- or give me debt. Liberty can score. They will have to in order to avoid getting boat-raced. We're saying they do.

          SVP: 10-5 all-time when picking against Pac-12 teams in nonconference matchups

          CFP Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential

          Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Michigan Wolverines (-2, 44.5)
          Monday, 5 p.m. on ESPN, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.

          Van Pelt's pick: Michigan -2

          This next one is simple. Have you heard one human say Michigan is going to win? Me either. One rule in "Winners" is when Alabama is getting points, you HAVE to take them. But that rule is trumped by the "not a single human rule." So, we are backing Michigan laying the points for that simple reason. Feels like a New Year's Day of holding on to your butts special there. You're hitting 16 against an ace -- not a great feeling -- but it must be done.

          SVP: 4-2 all-time when picking bowl games featuring top-4 teams

          NFL picks

          Los Angeles Rams (-4.5, 43.5) at New York Giants
          Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.

          Van Pelt's pick: Giants +4.5

          In the NFL -- arrivederci DeVito. In steps Tyrod Taylor, and we back the Giants plus the points against the Rams at home.

          SVP: 0-2 all-time when picking the Giants

          New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5, 42.5)
          Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.

          Van Pelt's pick: Saints +2.5

          And the Bucs are rolling laying less than a field goal to the Saints? That line stinks. On New Orleans there.

          SVP: 7-2 all-time when picking NFC South matchups

          Five. We're not making the playoffs. We don't have any scenarios. But we'll try to finish like professionals.