Let's Pick The Big Six

Well, a lousy first weekend of December has left me with two wheels hanging over the cliff. A "fine" effort of 2-7 drops the overall record for 2015 at 75-75. That's correct. A flat .500 record for the season against the spread. Exactly how it should be. As I've heard it said many times, that's why they build those great big hotels in the desert.
A couple of weeks ago, I decided to not wade through the endless schedule of worthless bowl games and just cut to the chase. The New Year's Six. The only six games worth caring about. And I have to admit it. This is a pretty strong slate of six. On paper, all of these games look to be watchable.
So, let's take a shot at it. It is time to sack up and deliver in the clutch. As always, the picks are against the spread.
Peach Bowl -- Florida State -7.0 vs. Houston. The word out of Tallahassee is lack of interest. The Seminoles had trouble selling tickets for their second trip of the season to Atlanta. The first one didn't work out too well. Georgia Tech returned a blocked field goal on the last play of the game to hand FSU its first loss of the season. Houston, the American Athletic Conference champion, can score. But can the Cougars deal with FSU running back Dalvin Cook, who has rushed for 1,658 yards and 18 touchdowns? Bigger question -- Does FSU even want to be at the Peach Bowl? FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher says the Peach Bowl is a great consolation prize. Doesn't sound like a glowing endorsement. But I think Cook will be the difference and will rescue the Seminoles. Somebody needs to make sure Osceola doesn't bury is flaming spear in the Georgia Dome turf. That would set off the smoke alarms. Take Florida State.
Orange Bowl -- Oklahoma -3.5 vs. Clemson. Since this game was announced, Oklahoma has been the favorite and the line has not moved much, if at all. The Sooners have been cocky the week leading up to the game. They have showed little respect to the team that wore them out 40-6 last December in Orlando. It was obvious Oklahoma did not want to be in Orlando last year. The Sooners were out of it from the start. There is no doubt Oklahoma has most of the motivation on its side because of the whipping it took last season. The Sooners have even tried to make a big deal out of Clemson putting up a tombstone -- something the Tigers do for every victory away from home against a ranked team. Clemson has the No. 1 ranking and the lack-of-respect card. The more the Tigers win, the less respect they get from the national media. It seems everyone is waiting on the Tigers to lose. But it hasn't happened yet. Both teams have quarterbacks who did not play in last year's meeting -- Deshaun Watson for Clemson and Baker Mayfield for Oklahoma. Watson has made the plays all season. Mayfield is the type of quarterback that gives the Tigers trouble, one who runs around and extends plays. I believe the Clemson defense is refocused and ready to go and will play better than it did in the final month of the season. Give me the points. Take Clemson.
Cotton Bowl -- Alabama -10.0 vs. Michigan State. This line says one thing to me. Michigan State is getting completely dissed. The bookies apparently are buying into the Alabama hype. Alabama has one big card to play -- Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry. This game will be played in a phone booth. These two teams will beat on each other for three-plus hours. It has been described by some as Caveman Football -- run good, pass bad. I give the edge to Alabama because of Henry, its defense, and its special teams. But I am going to take Sparty because I believe 10 points is too much. Pick Michigan State.
Sugar Bowl -- Ole Miss -7.0 vs. Oklahoma State. Both of these teams can score, but can they stop anybody? The excitement factor is a wash because both teams are happy to be in New Orleans. The Rebels are missing some key parts of their defense, so I'm going to ride with the Pokes and the points. Pistols firing. Pick Oklahoma State.
Fiesta Bowl -- Ohio State -6.5 vs. Notre Dame. I like this matchup. With a little more luck, the Irish could have been in the Top Four. Ohio State, the defending national champions, slopped through the season and finally got nipped at home by Michigan State. I think Notre Dame will be highly motivated for this game. Wake up the echoes. Pick Notre Dame.
Rose Bowl -- Stanford -6.0 vs. Iowa. Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey probably deserved more chatter in the Heisman Trophy race. He truly has done it all for the Cardinal -- 1,847 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, 41 receptions for 540 yards and four touchdowns, 28.9 yards per kickoff return and one touchdown, and two touchdown passes. Iowa is a nice team and has had a nice season, but I don't think the Hawkeyes are ready to deal with Stanford. Pick Stanford.

Last Week -- 2-7
Season -- 75-75

Tigers vs. Heels Highlights Final Week

Another winning week last week (9-7) but it could have been much, much better. The biggest misses were Michigan, Oklahoma State, and Mississippi State. All three suffered shocking blowouts to their archrivals.
This is the final week of picks. The biggest game of the week is in Charlotte, N.C., where No. 1 Clemson collides with streaking North Carolina. Most of the country is hoping the Tigers lose to create chaos in the College Football Playoff poll.
The remainder of the slate is composed of conference championship games and a few meaningless conference games. As always, all selections are against the spread.
I'll be back in a couple of weeks to select the post-Christmas bowl games and playoffs.
Merry Christmas to everyone.
North Carolina vs. Clemson -4.5 -- Well, it all comes down to this. No. 1 Clemson, which has been wobbling in recent weeks, against the hated Tar Heels. This is Clemson's 10th straight game (its bye week was in late September), and the Tigers are starting to show some wear and tear. Lack of depth on defense is becoming a factor. The Tar Heels can score a lot of points and their defense is more salty than it was last season. North Carolina is still questionable against the run, and the Tar Heels have yet to be under the blazing national spotlight this season. I think those two factors are major pluses for the Tigers. If North Carolina wins, the ACC will probably get left out of the playoffs. If Clemson wins, the Tigers will get a chance to get their feet under them before starting preparations for the semifinal on Dec. 31. I think the national media pulling for North Carolina is going to have a positive effect on the Tigers. Some people still don't believe in the Tigers. I think the Tigers will win some more converts Saturday night. And John Swofford will be shedding tears. Pick Clemson.
Southern Miss at Western Kentucky -7.5 -- Southern Miss has been one of the biggest surprises in college football with a wonderful turnaround season. I like the points in this matchup. Pick Southern Miss.
Temple at Houston -5.5 -- Houston will unleash its high-powered offense on the Owls. Pick Houston.
Texas at Baylor -20.5 -- Meaningless Big 12 game. Bears roll. Charlie Strong's seat gets warmer. Pick Baylor.
Florida vs. Alabama -18.0 -- Do we even have to play this game? Can't we call Gainesville and tell Florida to stay home? SEC haters are pulling for the ultimate upset. But the Gators have no shot. The Gators cannot score. The Tide rolls into the playoffs and possibly into the No. 1 spot by crushing the Gators. Pick Alabama.
West Virginia -5.5 at Kansas State -- Another meaningless Big 12 game. Kansas State needs to win to qualify for a bowl game.  I don't think the Wildcats are going to make it. Pick West Virginia.
Air Force at San Diego State -6.0 -- I always liked the nickname Aztecs. Pick San Diego State.
Stanford -4.5 vs. Southern Cal. Interesting game. Stanford has been whining/campaigning for a spot in the playoffs if it beats Southern Cal. Southern Cal has played well for interim-now-new-head-coach Clay Helton. This one is being played in Santa Clara, which is closer to Stanford's campus. But I don't think that is going to matter. Fight On. Pick Southern Cal.
Michigan State -3.5 vs. Iowa -- I think this spread is too low. Michigan State rolls, ends Iowa's unbeaten season, and earns a spot in the playoffs. Pick Sparty.
Georgia State at Georgia Southern -21.0 -- I needed a 10th game, so I picked this one. Eagles in a blowout. Pick Georgia Southern.

Last Week -- 9-7
For The Season -- 73-68

It's Rivalry Week

Fresh off losing a few dollars during a quick trip to Las Vegas, it is time to make selections for Rivalry Week.
I will brag on myself a little bit. I hit 3 of 4 college basketball selections at the MGM Sports Book and I am holding a Clemson -17.5 ticket for Saturday's big game in Columbia.
Last week's blog record was a respectable 7-3. If you played just the last seven selections, you went 7-0. You're welcome.
The overall record now stands at 64 up and 61 down.
This is the final Saturday with a full slate of games, so there are plenty of rivalries. Don't throw anything out the window this week except all of the cliches.
With a slight touch of jet lag and turkey hangover, here are this week's fearless selections:

-- Clemson -17 at South Carolina. The Gamecocks hit rock bottom last Saturday when they managed to lose to The Citadel. This is the ultimate baited trap. On paper, it looks like a rout of massive proportions. South Carolina can't score. Clemson can score. South Carolina can't stop anybody. When motivated, Clemson has one of the best defenses in the country. I expect the Gamecocks to try the zone read and run the quarterback a lot (In a surprise move, Pharoh Cooper perhaps?) South Carolina will hang for a while and might even get the lead, but in the end, I think Clemson just has too much. Pick Clemson.

-- Georgia -4 at Georgia Tech. Georgia is bad and is 8-3. Tech is awful and is 3-8. If the Jackets can pull off the upset, this might be the final time we see Mark Richt on the Georgia sideline. The two offenses have been anemic. I think the difference in this one is Georgia's D. Pick Georgia.

-- Oklahoma -7 at Oklahoma State. The Cowboys lost their perfect season last week. Oklahoma is one of the hottest teams in the country. In the century-long history of this series, Oklahoma State has beaten Oklahoma just 17 times. The winner of this game will still be in the playoff picture. Can the Pokes make it two in a row over the Sooners? I think so. Pick Oklahoma State.

-- Louisville -4.5 at Kentucky. Louisville brings Kentucky's season to a merciful end. Pick Louisville.

-- Ohio State at Michigan Pick'em. Ohio State finally played somebody last week and lost. The Buckeyes get another top notch opponent Saturday when they journey to the Big House. And they will lose again. Pick Michigan.

-- Indiana -6.5 at Purdue. Indiana wins its fourth straight Oaken Bucket. Pick Indiana.

-- Duke -4 at Wake Forest. Yuck. Miami's miracle/illegal play destroyed Duke's season. Wake can play a little defense but has no offense. I believe Duke is going to wake up and slap the Deacons. Pick Duke.

-- Alabama -14.5 at Auburn. Alabama has been smashing everybody. Auburn is this only thing that stands between Alabama and a trip to Atlanta to face Florida for the SEC title. The Tide steamroller rolls on. Pick Alabama.

-- Vanderbilt at Tennessee -17.5. The Volunteers will have a relaxed Saturday. Pick Tennessee.

-- Ole Miss -1 at Mississippi State. State will scramble Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl. Pick Mississippi State.

-- Florida State -2.5 at Florida. Florida is the worst one-loss team in the country. The Gators will get loss No. 2 on Saturday. Pick Florida State.

-- Texas A&M at LSU -5.5. LSU's painful slide ends but will it matter for Les Miles? Pick LSU.

-- North Carolina -5.5 at N.C. State. Will North Carolina be looking ahead to the ACC Championship match up against Clemson? I think so. The Wolfpack pulls off a treasured upset. Pick N.C. State.

-- Virginia Tech -3.0 at Virginia. This is probably Mike London's last game in Charlottesville. Frank Beamer needs a victory to get to a bowl. Virginia rises up and pulls off the upset. Pick Virginia.

-- Notre Dame at Stanford -3.5. Notre Dame committed five turnovers in last week's victory over Stanford. The Irish go to Palo Alto needing a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive. It's not going to happen. Pick Stanford.

-- UCLA at Southern Cal -3.0. Southern Cal got smashed last week at Oregon. I am expecting a strong Trojan rebound effort. Pick Southern Cal.

Last Week -- 7-3
For The Season -- 64-61

Season Record Drops Below .500

Last week's record of 4-6 pushed the season record below .500.
One of my correct picks was the Clemson-Syracuse game. The Tigers, a 28-point favorite, got surprised by Syracuse's triple option but managed to escape with a 10-point victory. The dream is still alive.
It is crunch time with just two weeks remaining in the regular season.
The pressure is on. Let's see if we can handle it and put together a late-season run and reach something that looks like respectability.
As always, the picks are against the spread.
-- Georgia Tech at Miami Pick'em. I am tired of picking Georgia Tech and losing. So I am picking Miami. Take the Hurricanes.
-- Wake Forest at Clemson -29. Wake has a decent defense. Twenty-nine is a lot of points. Clemson failed to cover a huge spread last week. Saturday is Clemson's final home game -- Senior Day, Purple Out, Military Appreciation Day. This game is always an extremely emotional day at Clemson. It has been a magical season so far for the Tigers. I believe home field and the refocusing of the defense this week will lead to a cover for the Tigers this week. Pick Clemson.
-- Georgia Southern at Georgia -14.5. Georgia is making its typical late-season run to get to nine or 10 wins. Rumors continue to swirl that Mark Richt is done after this season. Richt is doing all he can to hang on. (Jimbo Fisher to Georgia?) The Eagles could make it interesting for a while, but I think the Bulldogs with cover. Pick Georgia.
-- Baylor at Oklahoma State Pick'em. As some of you know, I have a lot of family members who graduated from Oklahoma State. For several weeks, I have been dreaming of an all-orange national championship game in Scottsdale, Ariz. on Jan. 11. The Pokes need just two more wins and I think they're in the playoff. First hurdle is Baylor, which got beaten up by Oklahoma last week. I like the unbeaten Pokes at home. Pick Oklahoma State.
-- Memphis -1.5 at Temple. The Owls with a mild upset at home. Pick Temple.
-- North Carolina -6.5 at Virginia Tech. Saturday will be Frank Beamer's final game at Lane Stadium. North Carolina can clinch the Coastal Division title with a victory over Tech and a Pittsburgh loss. The Tar Heels have been steamrolling everything in their path. Can Virginia Tech slow the game down and control the Heels? It will be an emotional day in Blacksburg. How far will that emotion carry the Hokies? Pick Virginia Tech.
-- Michigan State at Ohio State -13.0. This spread looks too high. I think it is too high. Take Michigan State.
-- Duke at Virginia -2.5. While Mike London waits for the axe to fall, the Cavaliers will stick another sword in Duke's rapidly deflating season. Pick Virginia.
-- LSU at Ole Miss -4.0. Speaking of deflating, let's talk LSU. Is Les Miles' seat getting warm? If it is, it will probably be even warmer after the trip to Oxford. Pick Ole Miss.
-- Southern Cal at Oregon -4.5. After some early season stumbles, the Ducks are back. They knocked Stanford out of the playoff picture last week. This week, they will take care of the Trojans. Pick Oregon.

Last Week -- 4-6
For The Season -- 57-58

Bonus Selection Sends Record Below .500

The greedy shall not prosper.
I should have left well enough alone last week, but I had to make an extra selection.
Wrong.
Texas Tech at West Virginia. The over was 80.5. That total is nothing for a typical Big 12 game. The Red Raiders and Mountaineers didn't even come close.
The result? 5-6 for week to put me at one game over .500 for the season.
Oh, well. Time to move on. Here are this week's selections. As always, picks are against the spread.
-- Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech -3. The Techs hook up Thursday night on the Flats. Virginia Tech is looking for one more victory to get retiring head coach Frank Beamer to a bowl game. Georgia Tech needs to win its last three games to get to a bowl for the 19th consecutive year. Georgia Tech has disappointed me all season long, but I am going to try the Jackets one more time. Pick Georgia Tech.
-- Florida -7.5 at South Carolina. Florida clinched the SEC East last week in ugly fashion with a nasty-looking 9-7 victory over hapless Vanderbilt. South Carolina returns home after back-to-back narrow losses on the road at Texas A&M and Tennessee. The Gamecocks are showing life. (Take note Clemson fans. Nov. 28 will not be a walk-over) I think the Gamecocks going to win this game outright. Pick South Carolina.
-- Oklahoma State -14 at Iowa State. In 2011, the Cowboys got upset in Ames. That loss cost the Cowboys a possible shot at the national championship. Now, the same scenario is in place. But I don't think the Cowboys are going to fall off their horse this time. Pick Oklahoma State.
-- Clemson -28 at Syracuse. No. 1 Clemson is coming off an emotional victory. Syracuse has lost six in a row. The Carrier Dome will be half full. The Orange hung with LSU earlier in the season. I don't think they will hang with the Tigers, but I also think the 28 points is too much. The Tigers win but not by four TDs. Pick Syracuse.
-- Pittsburgh at Duke -3.5. Duke rebounds (basketball season starts Friday) in a big way by beating the Panthers. Pick Duke.
-- N.C. State at Florida State -9. Florida State got outplayed in the second half at Clemson. Will the Seminoles recover and be ready for N.C. State? I think so. Pick Florida State.
-- Alabama -7.5 at Mississippi State. Everyone has been singing the praises of Alabama this week. I mean everyone. Listening to the talk, one would think the one-loss Crimson Tide is invicible. We all know you can't run on the Tide. But dual threat quarterbacks drive Bama crazy. Mississippi State's Dak Prescott can pass and he can run. Prescott is the winningest quarterback in Mississippi State history. The timing of this game is really good for the Bulldogs. It may just be wishful thinking, but I am picking Mississippi State to win the game outright. Pick Mississippi State.
-- Miami (Fla.) at North Carolina -12.5. Since Al Golden left town, the Hurricanes are undefeated. Can win three in a row and throw the ACC Coastal Division race into chaos? I don't think so. Pick North Carolina.
-- Memphis at Houston -7. The Cougars remain unbeaten and Houston head coach Tom Herman remains on South Carolina's coaching search radar with a shootout victory over Memphis. Pick Houston.
-- Oklahoma at Baylor -2.5. A real test for the Bears. This is a Big 12 elimination game. The Bears lost starting quarterback Seth Russell to a neck injury in late October. True freshman Jarrett Stidham directed Baylor to a victory at Kansas State. Is the player or is it the system? We are going to find out. This may be the biggest whiff of the season, but I am going to crawl out on the industrial strength limb and take the Sooners. Pick Oklahoma.

Last Week: 5-6
For The Season: 53-52

That's More Like, Wow What A Week

After swinging and missing for several weeks, I finally connected last week.
The slate was 8-2 overall, by far the best of the season. The eight correct picks also moved back over the .500 mark for the season.
The misses were A&M failing to cover against pesky South Carolina and Notre Dame missing the spread in a narrow victory over Temple.
But now is not the time to get cocky. Fans always remember November. The first Saturday of November has some dynamite games.
As always, the picks are against the spread. Here are this week's selections:
-- Florida State at Clemson -12: This will be the first game Clemson has ever played as the No. 1 team in the country. The overriding question about this game -- Can the Tigers handle the intense focus of being No. 1? They get a severe test as ACC bully Florida State comes to the Valley. FSU has won three straight against the Tigers and drilled the Tigers the last time they came to Clemson. Florida State's Dalvin Cook is one of the best running backs in the country. Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson has been on a roll. A simple analysis of this game -- Which ever No. 4 plays the best will lead his team to victory. But I think the Tigers have more balance on both sides of the ball. And I am beginning to believe they have destiny on their side. Pick Clemson.
-- TCU -5.5 at Oklahoma State: Yet another Big 12 shootout. A battle of unbeatens. Can the Cowboys hang? I think they can. Pick the Pokes.
-- South Carolina at Tennessee -16.5: South Carolina put forth a great effort but came up short at College Station. The spread is a little high, but I see a Gamecock letdown in Knoxville. Pick Tennessee.
-- Duke at North Carolina -8. The winner of this one will take control of the Coastal Division. Duke did get screwed last week, but that game should have never come down to Miami's miracle play. The Blue Devils only have themselves to blame. The Heels have not lost since they gagged against South Carolina the opening week of the season. It pains me to pick either one of these teams, but I going with the Heels. Pick North Carolina.
-- Arkansas at Ole Miss -10.5: Most of the SEC is secretly hoping Ole Miss can lose another conference game. If Ole Miss wins out, the Rebels will win the West and put the SEC's playoff chances in jeopardy. I like the Rebels at home. Take Ole Miss.
-- Kentucky at Georgia -14.0. Georgia hasn't scored a touchdown in two weeks and it is a 14-point favorite? Somebody must know something. All of the talk coming out of Athens has been about internal problems in the program. There has been no talk about Kentucky. I believe the end is near for Mark Richt. I think the Wildcats will cover the spread. Pick Kentucky.
-- Notre Dame -8 at Pittsburgh: The Panthers, coming off a loss to North Carolina, will drop their second straight game. Pick Notre Dame.
-- Army at Air Force -17.0. Air Force will have too much firepower for the Black Knights of the Hudson. Pick Air Force.
-- LSU at Alabama -6.5: After the release of the first playoff poll, Alabama has received most of the criticism from the pundits. The Tide has one loss, a home loss to two-loss Ole Miss. This is put up or shut up time for the Tide. LSU is unbeaten and can knock Alabama out of the conversation with a victory. This one will be for men only, and I think it will be close. So, I'm taking the points. Pick LSU.
-- Texas Tech at West Virginia -8. The Mountaineers will win a track meet. Bonus Pick -- Over/Under is 80. Take the Over. Take West Virginia.

Last Week -- 8-2
For The Season -- 48-46

Seminole, Ute Flops Lead To .500 Week

Baby steps at mid-season. I'll take it.
I snapped a losing streak (somewhat) last week with a 5-5 record. The big misses were the Miracle On Tenth Avenue in Atlanta and Utah falling flat against a wounded Southern Cal team.
My lack of confidence in Clemson also cost me, but I don't think even the most rabid Clemson fan saw a 58-0 beatdown of Miami on the radar. The Tigers were nearly flawless in dismantling the Hurricanes, a loss that ended Al Golden's stay at South Beach.
It's time to move on to Halloween weekend. Let's see if we can find more treats than tricks in the selections. As always, all picks are against the spread.
-- North Carolina -3 at Pittsburgh. A big game in the ACC Coastal. The winner will be well positioned for a trip to Charlotte. North Carolina is still kicking itself for that opening loss to South Carolina. The Tar Heels have not lost since the opening weekend. A big reason is defensive coordinator Gene Chizik, who has done a nice job putting some teeth in the Tar Heel defense. In his first season in charge of the Panthers, head coach Pat Narduzzi has Pitt on the fast track to respectability. I think the difference in this one is the North Carolina offense. I will give the points on the road. Take the Tar Heels.
-- West Virginia at TCU -14. Trevone Boykin and the TCU offense will shread the West Virginia defense. The Mountaineers will score some but not nearly enough. Pick TCU.
-- Louisville -11.5 at Wake Forest. The Cardinals climb to .500 overall with a victory over the Deacons. The spread of 11.5 is enough for a Deacon cover. Take Wake.
-- South Carolina at Texas A&M -16.0. The Aggies blasted the Gamecocks in Columbia last season, a loss that started a downward spiral in Columbia that has yet to hit bottom. A&M will have no trouble covering the spread at home. Pick A&M.
-- Georgia Tech -6 at Virginia. Georgia Tech pulled off the second-best finish this season when Lance Austin returned a blocked field goal 78 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the game to give the Yellow Jackets an upset of previously unbeaten Florida State. Can Tech use that miracle to build some momentum? Virginia head coach Mike London is waiting on the ax to fall. But first the ax will fall on Georgia Tech. Pick Virginia.
-- Clemson -10 at N.C. State. I feel the same way I did last week. This one makes me nervous. Ten is a lot of points. It is homecoming at N.C. State. The Wolfpack has shown respect to the unbeaten Tigers, but they also have talked about revenge for the beating they took in Death Valley last season. Emotion only lasts so long before talent takes over. This could be the Kiss of Death, but I think the Tigers will get it done. Pick Clemson.
-- Oklahoma State -3 at Texas Tech. Unbeaten Okie State travels to west Texas. The Cowboys have a big November at home with TCU, Baylor, and Oklahoma all coming to Stillwater. Looking past the trip to Lubbock could be dangerous, but I think the Cowboys will survive a shootout. Take Okie State.
-- Georgia vs. Florida -3. I don't care what they say this is still "The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party". To this day, it is the only place have been overwhelmed by the smell of bourbon while standing on the sideline. Florida pulled a stunner last year by pounding Georgia. Could this be Mark Richt's last stand? A loss to the Gators could get "For Sale" signs put in his yard and finally get him into missionary work. I think Florida's defense will be the difference. Take Florida.
-- Ole Miss -7.5 at Auburn. If Ole Miss wins out, the SEC could miss the playoffs. Auburn is a three-alarm dumpster fire. The Rebels will add fuel to the fire. Take Ole Miss.
-- Notre Dame -10 at Temple. When Notre Dame scheduled this game, I am sure it expected a walk-over. Instead it gets undefeated Temple on the road with Game Day at Independence Hall. This is an interesting matchup. Will Notre Dame take Temple seriously? Can the Owls hang on Halloween? Here is a creepy stat -- Notre Dame is 15-0 all-time on Halloween. Make it 16-0.

Against The Spread
Last Week -- 5-5
For The Season -- 40-44

Getting Close To Leonard's Losers Territory

We are getting close, dangerously close to Leonard's Losers territory.
A lot of you youngsters might not understand that reference so I will give you a brief explanation. Many years ago, there was a guy out of Athens, Ga., named Leonard Postero. He had a weekly radio show. The show was called "Leonard's Losers". During the show, he used colorful descriptions to pick losers rather than winners. Clemson was not Clemson. They were the Pickens County Felines. Georgia was the Red Clay Hounds. Georgia Tech was the Insects From The Institute.
Yes, it is getting that bad. Reverse picks on my picks.
Last week provided more head scratchers. I can't figure out Oklahoma. Michigan blew it against Michigan State with one of the worst punt attempts in history. Georgia and Missouri played a soccer match.
Last week's record was 4-7, dropping me to 35-39 for the season.
Let's try and make an assault on .500 this week. Here are the fearless selections. As always, picks are against the spread.
-- Clemson -6.5 at Miami. This one makes me nervous, real nervous. The Tigers are going on the road for just the second time this season. They have heard all week about how they have to bring their own energy in the large and empty pro stadium where Miami plays. Miami is 4-2 and capable. If Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya gets hot, the Tigers could be in trouble. My gut says upset, but I think the Tigers survive. Pick Clemson.
-- Florida State -5.0 at Georgia Tech. I keep waiting for Georgia Tech to jump up and sting somebody. I think that time as passed. Take Florida State.
-- Pittsburgh -6.5 at Syracuse. Pitt is the surprise of the ACC. The Panthers used a late field goal to beat Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Syracuse has lost three straight. Make it four. Pick Pitt.
-- Virginia at North Carolina -17.0. The Mike London Farewell Tour continues. Tar Heels roll and stay in the race for the Coastal title. Take UNC.
-- Duke at Virginia Tech -2.5. This is one Duke usually loses. But Virginia Tech is in decline and the talk of Frank Beamer hanging up it is becoming louder every day. The question is -- Can the Blue Devils break through a huge mental block and take out the Hokies. I think they can. Take Duke.
-- Texas Tech at Oklahoma -14.5. I cannot figure out Oklahoma. I have wiffed on the Sooners the last two weeks. This week they are at home against a Texas Tech team that is still struggling on defense. Pick Oklahoma.
-- Boston College at Louisville -7.5. The Boston College defense is for real. The Boston College offense is not. In this case, the half point is worth a look. In a fearless gamble, I am going to take BC.
-- Tennessee at Alabama -15.5. Alabama will have no problem covering this spread at home. Take the Tide.
-- Texas A&M at Ole Miss -6.0. Ole Miss got ambushed in Memphis last Saturday, but the Rebels will benefit from some home cooking. Take Ole Miss.
-- Utah at USC -3.5. Undefeated Utah is getting no respect as an underdog. Southern Cal is close to becoming a dumpster fire. Pick the Utes.

Last Week -- 4-7
For The Season -- 35-39

Last Week's Lowlight -- A Sooner Scooner Wreck In Dallas

Last week's blog featured the biggest whiff of the season. An absolute total swing and a miss. Oklahoma, a double-digit favorite, got its rear end kicked in Dallas by a struggling Texas team. Big Game Bob Stoops is now just a distant memory. The Sooner Scooner has two broken wheels and cracked axle. And the Big 12 continues to look like a showdown between Baylor and TCU. But remember this. Baylor, TCU, and Oklahoma all have to visit Oklahoma State, which is still unbeaten. The Cowboys are going to have a lot to say about who wins the Big 12.
Last week's smelly 5-6 performance was highlight by several near misses. The two misses of note were TCU, which can score with anybody but can't stop anybody, and Utah, which got five picks against Cal but still managed to win by just six points.
The overall record has dipped under .500 for the first time this season -- 31-32. It is way past time to have a breakout week. Let's give it a go. Remember, there is no net with this high-wire act. As always, all selections are against the spread.
-- Pittsburgh at Georgia Tech -2.5. Watching Georgia Tech in person, I was shocked how inept Tech's offense has become. Clemson just smothered the Tech running game. The Jackets looked slow and unorganized. A couple of blown coverages by the Tigers were the only thing that allowed the Yellow Jackets to save some face. I thought Tech would show up last week. It didn't. I am going to give the Jackets one more chance to show up and be counted. Take Tech.
-- Vanderbilt at South Carolina -3.5. A stunning week in Columbia with the news about Steve Spurrier led to the great debate -- quitter or not a quitter? I say you can't spelled quitter without UT. Shawn Elliott was named interim head coach and made one immediate change -- rap and rock music throughout practice. Another change was more physical practices. I expect the Gamecocks to relax and play and run over punchless Vandy. Pick South Carolina.
-- Boston College at Clemson -15.5. Boston College has one of the nation's best defensive units and one of the nation's worst offensive units. Not a good combination for facing Clemson. BC is usually really tough on the Tigers, but I think Clemson is going to wrap up this remarkable three-game home stand with a big victory over the Eagles. Clemson.
-- Missouri at Georgia -16.0. Georgia is wounded. Nick Chubb is gone for the season with torn knee ligaments. The rumblings about firing Georgia head coach Mark Richt are getting louder by the hour. But with the season slipping away, I think Georgia will rise up and slap Missouri. Take the Dawgs.
-- Ole Miss -10.5 at Memphis. Watch out Rebels. If you go to sleep, high-powered Memphis could blow your doors off. The guess here is the Rebels make the 65-mile trip to Memphis and show the Tigers some SEC defense. Take Ole Miss.
-- Virginia Tech at Miami (Fla.) -6.0. I don't know what to do with this one. Both of these teams have head coaches sitting on white-hot hot seats. Hokie fans say Beamer has lost it and is too old. Miami fans just want Al Golden and his tie gone. The six points is for home field which isn't much of an advantage because Miami fans don't show up. I'm going to hold my nose and pick the Hurricanes. Take Miami.
-- Michigan State at Michigan -7.0. A real test for a surprising Michigan team that has been on a roll. Jim Harbaugh has put some pride and teeth back into the Wolverines. This could be an old-fashioned Big 10 slobber knocker. This one needs rain, mud, gray skies, and wind. Many observers believe Michigan State is the No. 1 challenger to Ohio State, but I think Sparty gets loss No. 1 Saturday in Ann Arbor. Take the Wolverines.
-- Oklahoma -4.5 at Kansas State. Oklahoma hangover? The Sooners pissed me off with that lame effort in the Red River Rivalry. I'm counting on another Sooner meltdown. Kansas State has dropped heartbreakers to Oklahoma State and TCU, but I like the Wildcats, the wizard Bill Snyder, and the points at home. Take Kansas State.
-- Alabama -4.5 at Texas A&M. After destroying Georgia, all of the talk was about how Alabama is not dead yet. But I think Alabama's hopes of an SEC West title will end in College Station. Take the Aggies.
-- Florida at LSU -6.5. Florida took a hit during the week when redshirt freshman quarterback Will Grier was suspended for take an over-the-counter supplement. Grier said he didn't know it was a banded substance. Grier should have read the publication the NCAA produces every year to let student-athletes know not to take substance until their trainer approves it. And it's not fine print. It's common sense. Grier's mistake did not come at a good time. Unbeaten LSU awaits in Baton Rouge. I think the Gators will slow down LSU's Leonard Fournette some, but I don't think they've going to stop him. The Bayou Bengals will end Florida's brief run of success. Take LSU.
-- Southern Cal at Notre Dame -7.0. What was USC athletic director Pat Hayden thinking when he decided to hire Steve Sarkisian? Didn't he know there were plenty of stories about Sarkisian's erratic behavior at both Washington and USC? Hayden can blame it on the search firm that vetted Sarkisian but that's a pretty weak excuse. Several observers say Hayden should also hit the road for botching the hire. The facts are Southern Cal was awful last Thursday night in a loss to Washington, and Sarkisian is history. The Trojans travel to South Bend and they are in no way, shape, or form ready to face the talented Irish. Notre Dame in a rout.

Against The Spread
Last Week -- 5-6
Season Record -- 31-32

October Starts With Crash

Last week's picks were a total disaster. Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Ole Miss all went belly up and I could not recover.
The 4-7 slate for the week leaves me at .500 -- 26-26 -- for the season. Mediocre is not a strong enough word. I can think of a lot of words to describe what is going on, but I want to keep this blog in PG territory.
Well, let's see if we can get a clue this week. As always, the mighty and fearless selections are against the spread.
-- N.C. State at Virginia Tech Pick: Y'all know how I feel about Friday night college football. I hate it. Friday is for high schools. But the ACC has to collect all the checks it can, so N.C. State travels to Virginia Tech. State's rampage through cupcakes came to an end last week when Louisville handed the Wolfpack its first loss. The Hokies are struggling and the "Beamer needs to retire" talk is sure to gain some steam if the current trend continues. It is tough to pick against Virginia Tech at home, but I am going to take N.C. State.
-- LSU -13.5 at South Carolina: It has been a tough week in Columbia because of the massive amount of water, washed out roads, crumbling dams, etc. Then the word came on Wednesday that the game is being moved to Baton Rouge. Charlotte was not an option because the Panthers have sodded their field. A season that has started unraveling for the Gamecocks just continues to fall apart. LSU is led by running back Leonard Fournette, the best thing to come to Baton Rouge since gumbo. Tacklers bounce off of him like bullets bounce off Superman. Fournette has rushed for 200 or more yards in three straight games. Make it four. Take the Bayou Bengals.
-- Georgia Tech at Clemson -7: The classic trap game. Clemson used a lot of energy and emotion to hold off Notre Dame in one of the worst rainstorms in the history of Death Valley. The talk this week has been about focusing on Tech. Tech's triple option has been struggling, but Tech head coach Paul Johnson always seems to find a way against Clemson. The difference in this one is defense and special teams. Clemson has a defense and above average special teams. Tech has neither. Clemson.
-- Oklahoma State at West Virginia -7. Last time the Cowboys went to Morgantown, they got blasted. I don't think the Pokes are going to get blasted this time, but I do believe they will suffer their first loss. Take West Virginia.
-- Oklahoma -17 vs. Texas. Seriously, do we have to play this game? When Texas players are tweeting at halftime that they want to transfer from the program, you've got major problems. Plus, Texas head coach Charlie Strong got a vote of confidence this week. That's always trouble. Cue the violin music. Kiss of death. Texas has three wheels over the cliff. The program is a mess. Can't we just enjoy the Texas State Fair where they deep fry everything without having to watch the carnage that is going to take place in the old Cotton Bowl? Pass me a corndog and go heavy on the Sooners.
-- Virginia at Pittsburgh -8.5. The Mike London farewell tour continues. Pitt.
-- Wake Forest at Boston College -7.5. The Deacons played Florida State close. But I like Boston College at home. Take the Eagles.
-- Northwestern at Michigan -7.5. Northwestern's undefeated season comes to a screeching halt. Hail to the Victors. Take Michigan.
-- TCU -9 at Kansas State. Watch out TCU. Kansas State almost upset Oklahoma State in Stillwater with a wide receiver who had to play quarterback in an emergency situation. Bill Snyder will keep the Wildcats in the game for a while, but I just think the Horned Frogs have too much offensive firepower. Take TCU.
-- Miami (Fla.) at Florida State -9.5. Miami fans are flying "Fire Al Golden" banners at away games. Here's a Vegas bet for you. Who gets fired first -- Golden, London, or Strong? Florida State isn't Florida State. Yet. My gut tells me this will be closer than 9.5, but I'm not going to listen to my gut. I think Miami will fall by double digits. Chop, chop, chop. FSU.
-- California at Utah -7. Gameday is on campus. The pressure of being the Pac 12 frontrunner. Can Utah handle success? This will be interesting test for Utah, but I think Utes are for real. Take Utah.

Against The Spread
Last Week -- 4-7
Season -- 26-26

Still In The Positive But Fighting Late Slumps

For the second week in a row, I got off to a great start and then lost it at the end. I was 6-1 with three games remaining but Florida and TCU failed to cover and Arizona got steamrolled by UCLA.
As we enter October, the games are becoming more interesting. The largest spread on this week's sheet is Oklahoma State -8.5 at home against Kansas State.
Here we go. We'll give it our best shot. And as always, the selections are against the spread.
-- Miami (Fla.) -6.0 at Cincinnati. Miami takes its undefeated record to the Queen City to face at 2-2 Bearcat team that is coming off a shootout loss to Memphis. Cincinnati backup quarterback Hayden Moore entered the Memphis game and threw for a school record 557 yards and four touchdowns. Miami had last Saturday off after withstanding a furious rally by Nebraska in the fourth quarter. Will the Canes be looking ahead to their ACC opener against Florida State? Maybe, but I'm going to take Miami.
-- South Carolina at Missouri -4. How can Missouri be a favorite over anybody? Has to be the home field. It has been an ugly start for Mizzou. South Carolina may have found a little spark last week in quarterback Lorenzo Nunez. Both teams have lost to Kentucky. I think Nunez is going to be the difference. Take the Gamecocks.
-- Alabama at Georgia -2.5. Georgia's first real test as the Crimson Tide comes rolling into Athens. The Tide already has a conference loss so it is do-or-die for Bama as far as the national picture is concerned. Georgia has been rolling behind running back Nick Chubb and quarterback Greyson Lambert. I think Georgia is the real deal. Pick the Dawgs.
-- North Carolina at Georgia Tech -7. This spread makes no sense. North Carolina can score and seems to have found something since the season-opening disaster against South Carolina. Georgia Tech is just a disaster. Paul Johnson says his system has worked for a long time and will continue to work. It doesn't work well when there's no experience in the backfield. Take North Carolina.
-- Kansas State at Oklahoma State -8.5. The Cowboys got their fourth straight win in Austin last Saturday. They return home to face a Kansas State team that is undefeated after battling past Louisiana Tech in three overtimes. Oklahoma State needs more consistency on defense and better play out of quarterback Mason Rudolph. Take the Cowboys.
-- Notre Dame -1 at Clemson. Is this the biggest game in Clemson history? Every week is a big week for Notre Dame. Can Clemson handle the moment? Can Deshaun Watson have a breakout game on a big stage to kick start a Heisman campaign? Can Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer hold up against Clemson's pressure with 80,000 plus screaming at him? The winner places their name squarely in the conversation for the playoffs. Notre Dame spent the early part of the week using Twitter to fire some trash talk at the Tigers. That's why Clemson players are not allowed to use social media during the season. It cuts down on the noise. The chatter only lasts until you get hit the mouth the first time. Clemson.
-- Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech -4.5. Bud Foster's defense gave up 35 points last week at East Carolina. The Hokies will have to play better to beat Pitt. Take the Hokies.
-- West Virginia at Oklahoma -6.0. I want to get all giddy about undefeated West Virginia after the Mountaineers smashed Maryland. But I am going to take a chill pill because I believe the Sooner Scooner is ready to roll in Norman. Pick the Sooners.
-- Louisville at N.C. State -4.5. N.C. State is unbeated and untested. Louisville finally won a game last week. Can the Cards win two in a row? Nope. N.C. State.
-- Ole Miss -7.0 at Florida. Florida continues to walk a tight rope. The Gators rallied late to beat choking Tennessee. The Rebels won a snoozer against Vanderbilt, but they will have to get it cranked back up before entering The Swamp. Can Chad Kelly deliver another big road victory? Yes. Hoddy Toddy. Pick Ole Miss.
-- Mississippi State at Texas A&M -7.0. The Aggies continue to build momentum as they enter the teeth of their schedule. Take A&M at home.

Against The Spread
Last Week -- 6-4
For The Season -- 22-19

Late Sinking Spell Sinks Week Three Selections

Week Three provided a full-blown crash and burn. I was doing great until the final five selections. In the final five games, I took the big doughnut to record the first sub-.500 week of the season at 4-7. The overall record is still one above the magical .500 mark -- 16-15.
The fateful five games that sent me down the drain were Kentucky losing its 29th straight to Florida, Cal blowing a late three-touchdown lead before beating Texas by one stinking point, Stanford rising up and upsetting Southern Cal, Ole Miss knocking off Alabama in back-to-back seasons for the first time in school history, and UCLA failing to cover at double-digit spread over BYU.
I did pick Georgia, but I didn't anticipate a full nuclear meltdown by South Carolina. I thought the Gamecock defense was better but it got torched between the hedges. Even the OBC is going to have problems pulling this mess out of the ditch.
After a long Saturday full of losers, I am always amazed by the numbers set by "those guys in the desert" as the late great Larry Munson used to say.
Here are the selections for the final week of September. All picks are against the spread.
-- Boise State -2.5 at Virginia (Friday). Just a small editorial comment here. College football on a Friday night is a bad idea, an even worse idea than college football on a Tuesday night. I don't care where they are located on the eastern seaboard, ACC schools should not play on Friday nights. Friday nights are for high school football. College football on Friday night is just another sign that TV money is more important than the fans. End of rant and on to the game. Virginia put together an inspired effort against Notre Dame but blew it in the final minute. Boise State has to travel across country, but I don't think it is going to matter. Mike London, do you know any good real estate agents in Charlottesville? Take the Broncos.
-- Georgia Tech -9.5 at Duke. Duke lost the Academic Bowl last week to Northwestern, while Georgia Tech was getting smothered at Notre Dame. Tech coach Paul Johnson promised some fixes. Duke has been a pain in Tech's rear for a long time. This is a dangerous game for the Jackets at Wallace Wade Outdoor Stadium. Take Duke and the points.
-- Central Florida -14.5 at South Carolina. Here we have two teams that are both three-alarm dumpster fires. Central Florida lost at home to Furman, yes that Furman, while South Carolina got drilled by Georgia. What to do. What to do. If the Knights struggled with Furman, they certainly will have a difficult time with the Gamecocks. Right? Who knows? I expect a dead cat bounce from South Carolina. Take the Gamecocks.
-- Oklahoma State -3.0 at Texas. The Cowboys ride south to face their first "test" of the season. Texas has issues, but the Longhorns will be the best team Oklahoma State has faced to date. The interesting note on this game is that the road team has won six straight in the series. OSU continues that streak. Pistols firing. Take the Pokes.
-- BYU at Michigan -5.5. Michigan a favorite? Do my eyes deceive me? BYU lost its perfect season at UCLA. With that spread, somebody knows something. I have to take the Wolverines in the Big House.
-- Bowling Green -2.5 at Purdue. Both of these teams are 1-2. Purdue is 0-2 all-time against Bowling Green. The Falcons are averaging 39.6 points per game. I think Bowling Green will cover.
-- LSU -24.0 at Syracuse. Long trip for the Bayou Bengals and it will be difficult to find cajun food in upstate New York. There was a report that the 7,500 LSU fans making the trip were worried about running out of liquor. Now, that's a fan base. Twenty-four points is a lot but not enough to save the Orange. LSU.
-- Maryland at West Virginia -17.0. I'm picking West Virginia because Maryland has the ugliest helmets in college football and deserves to lose by three touchdowns. Hail to West Virginia, the pride of every Mountaineer.
-- Tennessee at Florida -1.5. Tennessee flunked its first major test by blowing at late lead at home against Oklahoma. Florida is still a mystery. The spread means nothing and the game is in The Swamp. I just don't believe in Tennessee. Take the Gators.
-- TCU -6.5 at Texas Tech. Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury piled on Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema after ripping the Hogs. TCU had a tougher than expected time with the Fighting Chad Morrises last week in Fort Worth. The Frogs have yet to show out. It's time. Take the Frogs.
-- UCLA -3.5 at Arizona. Battle of unbeatens. In this one, I like the home field. Rich Rodriguez gets it done. Pick the Wildcats.

Against The Spread
Last Week -- 4-7
Season -- 16-15

Still Above .500 After Two Weeks

The good last week was picking Oklahoma and Michigan State and underdogs Kentucky (which won outright) and Mississippi State.
Last week's record was 7-4. All picks are against the spread. Here we go with Week Three:
-- Clemson -5 at Louisville. Clemson and Thursday nights give me heartburn. Thursday night equals struggle for the Tigers. Louisville is 0-2 but easily could be 2-0. The Cardinals have been their own worst enemy with turnovers and poor special teams play. Louisville had a lot of defense last year and controlled the Tigers after Watson's early exit with a broken finger. But the Cardinal defense was hit hard by the NFL draft. All the signs point to an upset, but I believe Clemson's rebuilt defense is for real. Tigers do enough to survive.
-- Florida State -8 at Boston College. This spread looks out of whack to me. The Eagles have given the Seminoles problems in Chestnut Hill, but I just don't see it this time. FSU.
-- Georgia Tech -2 at Notre Dame. This is one of Saturday's most interesting games. Paul Johnson has his triple-option offense cranked up. I mean really cranked up. The Yellow Jackets have literally steamrolled two straight opponents. Now Tech takes its act on the road to face a Notre Dame team that is missing its top running back and its starting quarterback. Notre Dame has a talented defense directed by former Georgia defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder, who is familar with Tech's scheme. The Irish will slow Tech down, but I don't think they will stop them. Take Georgia Tech.
-- South Carolina at Georgia -17. South Carolina has an improved defense, but the Gamecocks cannot score. Starting quarterback Connor Mitch is out with a separated shoulder. Georgia did what it had to do to beat Vanderbilt in Nashville, but Dawg fans are not happy with any part of their offense at the moment. Give Chubb the ball and ride your defense. That will be more than enough against the Gamecocks. Pick the Dawgs.
-- Auburn at LSU -7.5. Auburn has serious quarterback issues that will not be solved in one week. The Tigers survived an inspired effort from massive underdog Jacksonville State. After its home opener got washed out, LSU went to Starkville and knocked Mississippi State out of the national polls. Home field will be the difference. Auburn will not survive this week. LSU.
-- Colorado -3.5 at Colorado State. The Rocky Mountain Showdown has been dominated by Colorado. The Buffaloes have won 62 of the 86 meetings. But Colorado State has won two of the last three. The Rams are in their first year under the direction of new head coach Mike Bobo, the former offensive coordinator at Georgia. Last week, Colorado smashed UMass, while Colorado State dropped an overtime decision to Minnesota. The guess here is take Colorado State.
-- Florida -3 at Kentucky. Kentucky snapped a 20-game SEC road losing streak at South Carolina last week. Can the Wildcats snap a 28-game losing streak to the Gators? Kentucky is capable, but the mental block against Florida is a big one. But I think it can happen. More history for Kentucky. Take the Wildcats.
-- California -7 at Texas. After getting blown out at Notre Dame, Texas head coach Charlie Strong rearranged his offensive coaching staff. The results were positive against Rice, but California will provide a bigger challenge. Looking at the spread, I think the seven points is for home field. Take the Bears.
-- Stanford at Southern Cal -9.5. This is Southern Cal's first real game. Stanford isn't ready for the Trojans' high-powered offense. Fight on for Old SC.
-- Ole Miss at Alabama -6.5. Tuscaloosa will be too much for the Rebels. Roll Tide.
-- Brigham Young at UCLA -16.5. BYU, the nation's luckiest team, will have its luck run out at the Rose Bowl. Pick the Bruins.

Against The Spread
 Last Week -- 7-4. Season -- 12-8

First Week In The Books. Here Are Week Two's Selections.

Well, we're stretched out and loose and we have the first batch of results. There were no real shockers in week one with the exception of 31-point favorite Washington State losing to Portland State. Ouch. Thankfully, that game wasn't on our list of selections.
Last week's record was 5-4 against the spread. Let's see if we can do better this week. All picks are against the spread:
-- Louisiana Tech at Western Kentucky -2. Skip Holtz takes his Bulldogs to Kentucky to face a Hilltopper team that outlasted Vanderbilt last week. In this battle between two of the best teams in Conference USA, home field will make the difference. Take Western Kentucky.
-- Utah State at Utah -13.5. Utah opened the season with a victory over Michigan. The Utes should have no trouble with their in-state rival Aggies.
-- Appalachian State - 17 at Clemson. Applachian State brings a seven-game winning streak to Death Valley. Several years ago, the Mountaineers did upset mighty Michigan. But since that historic upset, they have moved up a division. The Mountaineers are still adjusting to playing with the big boys. We should see Clemson's starters a little longer this week. This spread is interesting but not interesting enough. Take the Tigers.
-- Tulane -28.5 at Georgia Tech. Tulane cannot and will not stop Tech's brutal ground attack. Pick Tech.
-- Georgia -20 at Vanderbilt. Traditionally, the Dawgs have struggled in Nashville. But Vandy is bad. Really bad. Get prepared to see Aaron Chubb run wild. Take Georgia.
-- Kentucky -7 at South Carolina. There are a lot more questions than answers about South Carolina after they managed to squeak by North Carolina. Kentucky rallied to win in Lexington last season. The unknowns scare me, so I'm going to take Kentucky and the points.
-- Notre Dame -11 at Virginia. Is Texas that bad or is Notre Dame that good? I don't think we'll get any clarification this week because Virginia is bad. Pick the Irish.
-- Iowa -3.5 at Iowa State. The pressure is mounting in Iowa to make a step forward. Iowa State is capable of rising up at home. Take the Cyclones.
-- Oklahoma at Tennessee pick'em. There has been a lot of hype spewing out of East Tennessee about the Vols turning the corner and being a factor in the SEC East this season. This is their first chance to show off their improvement against one of college football's big boys. The Sooners can throw it, which could be a big problem for the Vols, who allowed more than 400 yards passing in the opener. I'm not buying Tennessee yet. The pick here is Oklahoma.
-- Oregon at Michigan State -3.5. Michigan State gets revenge for last year's loss in Eugene. Take Sparty.
-- LSU -4.5 at Mississippi State. LSU got rained out last week and will play just 11 regular season games. Mississippi State faced an emotional opener at Southern Miss, but they had no problem with the Eagles. Several experts say LSU has what it takes to be a playoff team. But the Bayou Bengals are going to find trouble in Stark-Vegas. Hail State.
Last Week -- 5-4. Season -- 5-4.

Let's Begin The Season With A Fearless Forecast

I'm back.
It's been a while since my last blog. It's time to get college football started.
Here are some picks and projections for week one of what promises to be an intriguing college football season.
-- South Carolina vs. North Carolina +2.5 in Charlotte. The battle of the Carolinas highlights a busy Thursday night. South Carolina has questions on both sides of the ball. Can Connor Mitch move the offense? Will a Gamecock defensive unit that struggled all of last season show some improvement? North Carolina can score but will its defensive unit be more than a speed bump? There is absolutely no emotion in this selection. I don't like either team. I am picking North Carolina because the Heels can score. Take the Heels and the 2.5.
-- Michigan +6 at Utah. Not great scheduling for Michigan first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh. The trip is too long for the downtrodden Wolverines. Take the Utes.
-- TCU at Minnesota +14.5. TCU has received a lot of hype in the off-season. The Frogs should live up to the hype in game one when they roll the Gophers. Frogs by at least three touchdowns.
-- Baylor at SMU +36. Welcome back to Texas Chad Morris. Baylor had a major distraction in the preseason when head coach Art Briles had a memory lapse. Will there be a hangover? I do think 36 points is too much, even for an opener. Select the Ponies and the points.
-- Virginia +19.5 at UCLA. The Mike London death watch begins. Bruins crunch (and cover) the woeful Cavaliers.

-- Wofford at Clemson (no line). Legendary Clemson SID Tim Bourret came up with this note. The Tigers have won 29 straight against FCS opponents by an average score of 39-7. The only single-digit result during that streak belongs to Wofford in 2011. The number 29 has not been a good one in Clemson athletic history. The Clemson football team won 29 straight against Virginia before losing. The Clemson basketball team had a winning streak of 29 in a row at home but could not get No. 30. The Clemson baseball team had a 29-game home winning streak but could not get No. 30. What does this inability to reach 30 mean? Probably nothing. But Wofford will compete and the Tigers better be ready for the pesky Terriers.
-- Auburn vs. Louisville +10.5 in Atlanta. Louisville had to replace a lot of defense. Auburn can score points and will have a bigger crowd at the Georgia Dome. War Eagle will cover.
-- Arizona State +3 at Texas A&M. To fix his defensive unit, Aggie head coach Kevin Sumlin went out and coaxed John Chavous away from LSU. Chavous has been a DC at Tennessee and LSU. He knows the SEC. He will put some starch into the Aggie defense. Take the Aggies and give the three points.
-- Texas +10 at Notre Dame. Charlie Strong's rebuilding process continues in Austin. The Horns aren't ready for the Irish will throw at them. ND will cover the 10.
-- Wisconsin +10 vs. Alabama at Dallas. These are two proud programs who both got run over by Ohio State late last season. This is as close as we will come to an old-school pier six brawl in the first week. The Badgers prefer the run. Lane Kiffin has opened up Bama's offense, but head coach Nick Saban is still old school. Take Alabama to win by two touchdowns.
-- Ohio State at Virginia Tech +12 on Labor Day Night. The Hokies pulled one of the biggest stunners of 2014 by beating the Buckeyes. We all know how things turned out for Ohio State. Can VT do it again. Nope. No way. Revenge is a dish best served cold. Buckeyes roll.

Patriots Will Deflate The Legion Of Boom

In my previous blog, I was 2-0 straight up and 1-1 against the spread.  New England dominated Indianapolis with flat footballs. Seattle kicked it around until pulling the game out against Green Bay with a late rally. A lot had to go right for the Seahawks to reach the Super Bowl for the second straight season and ol' Lady Luck was with them.

Late Saturday afternoon, Sunday's big game was listed as a pick-em with an O/U of 47.

New England has spent more than week hearing about how it cheats and how it is an evil empire. It seems the entire country is pulling against the Patriots because the Patriots find ways to win and win a lot. Earlier this season, the Patriots were written off as old and finished. Now, New England is getting the last laugh.

I personally believe Deflate-gate was much ado about nothing. Other pro teams do it, college teams do it, high school teams do it. If the balls were missing that much air, why didn't the officials who handle the balls during the game notice the difference? As long as the ball isn't flat play on.

While Deflate-gate deflected a lot of other attention on New England, Marshawn Lynch did the deflect job for Seattle. All the media could talk and write about the week before the game was Lynch's childish antics at the press conference. Lynch may be one of the most talented running backs in the game, but he is also the game's biggest jerk.

Tom Brady is at the top of his game. If Seattle can't get pressure on him, Brady will dominate the game.

Russell Wilson survived a shaky effort in the NFC Championship Game to go another shot at a world title. Wilson is more mobile than Brady, but he also is more inconsistent.

Seattle's biggest problem is in the secondary three of the four members of the Legion of Boom are banged up. Three of the four -- Kam Chancellor (knee), Earl Thomas (separated shoulder), and Richard Sherman (elbow ligaments) -- are suffering from injuries.

I think Seattle's secondary issues will be the difference in the game. Brady will take advantage of the situation.

Take the Patriots and the over.

Clemson Hoops Continues Improvement
Clemson head coach Brad Brownell continues to amaze with the work he is doing. Last week, the Tigers won their second ACC road game at N.C. State then came home and took care of Boston College to improve to 13-8 overall and 5-4 in the ACC.

The Tigers have received a kick start from junior guard Jordan Roper, who earned a starting spot in practice and then took advantage by averaging 21 points per game against State and BC. Jordan's ability to hit some 3-point baskets has made a major positive impact for Clemson's struggling offense.

Clemson played its finest half of the season at State and built a 21-point lead before allowing the Wolfpack to get within three points in the second half. But the Tigers showed some toughness and poise to pull away for a 68-57 victory over the Pack.

Clemson plays at Florida State and at Miami this week before returning home to face Notre Dame on Feb. 10. Poor free throw shooting cost Clemson the first meeting against Florida State. A split would be good. A two-game sweep would start a big buzz before the Irish come to town.

Is Tiger Woods Finished?
I have been thinking for two years that Tiger Woods would find "it" again. As I write this Saturday afternoon, Woods looks done. Finished. In the tank. The some of the shots he hit on Friday on his way to a career-high 82 were shocking. Woods looked like a 21-handicapper playing at a muni on a Sunday afternoon.

In his seeking of perfection, Woods has lost everything he ever had. He can't hit a fairway. He can't chip. He can't putt. He has reached rock bottom.

Where does he go from here? He should go back to Butch Harmon, but Harmon won't take him back. If he is ever going to be a factor on PGA Tour again, Woods will have to swallow some pride and ask for some help. The problems aren't just physical anymore. Snakes have gotten into his head, and those snakes are difficult to exterminate.

Seahawks, Patriots Will Meet In Super Bowl

On Divisional weekend, I was 3-1 straight up and 2-2 against the spread. That half point in the Packers-Cowboys game turned out to be painful.

Was it a catch? Yes, I think Dez Bryant should have gotten credit for making a catch. But by rule, the officials were correct. Since this call was against the Cowboys and Jerry Jones, I expect the NFL Competition Committee to make changes in the off season. It is a stupid rule.

I wiffed badly on the National Championship game. I had Oregon both ways and took the over. Wrong, wrong, and wrong. Ohio State was just too powerful for Oregon. The Buckeyes dominated the line of scrimmage and earned the title. I am a big fan of the four-team playoff. Now, I want eight teams and I think we will be good to go for a while.

The new playoff system was a big hit with college football fans. More than 22 million watched the two semifinal games and more than 33 million watched the National Championship game.

Let's take a look at Sunday's Conference Championship games:
Green Bay at Seattle (-7.0)
Much like the Carolina-Seattle game, I believe this game is a gift. Seattle is tough at home. I love Aaron Rogers but that calf injury is really bothering him. Seattle will be extremely aggressive defensively with the idea of making him move. If the Seahawks allow Rogers to stand in the pocket, he could cause some problems. But I think Rogers will be on the run, or on the limp, most of the game. Take Seattle and give the points.

Indianapolis at New England (-6.5)
The Colts suffocated the Broncos and Peyton Manning to earn a trip to New England. The pundits who declared Tom Brady and the Patriots dead in the water in early September must be feeling pretty stupid right now. I like Andrew Luck. I think he's got all of the tools you want in an NFL quarterback. But Brady is Brady. He not only has the accuracy, but he has the intangibles. At times, he wills his team to victory. New England will win and cover.

Clemson hoops returns home:
The Tigers finished a brutal road trip 1-2, losing at No. 5 Louisville and No. 2 Virginia. But progress was made in the three games. The Tigers are way ahead of where they were after the home loss to North Carolina on Jan. 3. They hung with Virginia for a half, but a lack of offense in the second half allowed the Cavaliers to turn a defensive game into a blowout. Virginia is the real deal. The Cavaliers guard as well as anybody in the country, and they are efficient on the offensive end.

Clemson's best performance of the season to date came at Pittsburgh, a place where the Tigers lost by 33 last year. The Tigers were 8-for-18 from behind the arc. The game is a whole lot easier when you make shots. The other positive factor in the Pitt game was the bench, which produced 23 points.

The Tigers open a three-game home stand against Syracuse Saturday afternoon. The Orange are known for their zone defense. That's all they play. That means the Tigers will have to make some outside shots and their interior passing will have to be a whole lot crisper. Trying to feed the post in the Virginia game, the Tigers committed several silly turnovers.

There should be a crowd at the Syracuse game because there will be football recruits in the house and the bowl trophy will be presented at halftime. Hopefully, the Clemson "fans" will stay for the second half.

Story of the Week, Possibly The Year:
In case you missed it, NASCAR driver Kurt Busch says his ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll is a trained assassin.

Yes, you read that correctly. Busch says she has traveled the world taking people out. He says she left the trailer one night in camo and returned in a trench coat and wearing a blood-soaked dress.

Just when you think you've heard it all.

If you think your significant other is a trained assassin, why would you even think about having an altercation with her? If she can take out drug lords and kingpins, she certainly can take you out and make it look like an accident.

This story brings the James Bond element into NASCAR, which might add to the excitement especially in the plate races. Intentional oil slicks, intentional smoke screens, driver ejector seats, machine guns on the cars, exploding lug nuts, snipers shooting out tires, trap doors on the track. NASCAR czar Mike Helton will no longer go by his name just a letter -- H. Imagine the excitement and intrigue and the increase in ticket sales.

Kurt is not a fan favorite, which means if his ex made him "disappear" there would be more celebrating than disappointment.

Let's Venture Into The NFL, Ducks Will Take Title

Let's take a quick look at this week's NFL Playoff games:

Saturday
Baltimore at New England (-7.0)
Baltimore won a tough game at Pittsburgh to get the trip to New England. The Patriots were pronounced dead in the water early in the season, but as long as Tom Brady is playing the Patriots will be a difficult challenge. I think New England will win, but I do not think they will cover the seven.

Carolina at Seattle (-10.5)
I think this is the gimme of the weekend. I just don't believe in Carolina. Seattle has the best home field advantage in pro football. This will be over early because Seattle's offense is much better than Carolina's offense. Take the Seahawks both ways.

Sunday
Dallas at Green Bay (-5.5)
Ice Bowl 2? Dallas benefited from the worse call/no call in the history of pro football last weekend. It will take more than the refs to save them in frigid Green Bay. The elements will definitely be a factor. The Packers' defense is suspect, but I don't and never have believed in Tony Romo, especially in a big game. And his is a big game. Bad news for Jerry Jones -- the Cowboys lose. Good news for Jerry Jones -- no hugs from Chris Christie. Take the Packers to cover.

Indianapolis at Denver (-7.0)
Young gunslinger vs. old gunslinger. Peyton Manning is missing something. Can he find it before Andrew Luck and the Colts get to town? I think so. Take the Broncos both ways.

Monday
National Championship Game
Ohio State vs. Oregon (-6.0)
The spread has been dropping, but I still believe the difference in the game is going to be the speed of Oregon's offense and the play of Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota. Ohio State's magical run comes to an end. Take the Ducks to cover.

Quick Takes
-- I don't know what NIKE was thinking when they designed Oregon's national championship game uniform. The Ducks are usually clad in green, neon yellow, silver, etc. Monday night's uniforms are black and gray. Not a hint of green or yellow. Oregon is selling it by saying the uniform is business-like. If I were a Duck fan, I would have a fear of messing with the mojo.

-- The Clemson men's basketball team, after an awful effort in its ACC opener against North Carolina, bounced back with a gritty effort at No. 5 Louisville. The Tigers, 16-point underdogs, led 22-18 at the half. Louisville dominated the opening minutes of the second half with a 17-0 run to take a 35-22 lead. It looked as if the Tigers were headed for their second straight blowout loss. But Clemson put together a methodical rally and actually cut the deficit to two points late in the game before finally falling, 58-52. The biggest problem -- lack of any type of scoring inside. Landry Nnoko has become the invisible man. Second biggest problem -- Can't make a jump shot, long or mid-range. The Tigers are getting shots. They just can't make them.

-- I think I am going to start a pool. Name the date and time remaining in the game when Gabe DeVoe finally scores a point for the Tigers. One of the biggest mysteries to me this season has been DeVoe. He averaged more than 30 points per game in high school, but he is 0-for-Clemson. How does that happen?

Final Tally, Too Many Tar Holes

Final Tally
I split the final two bowl games to finish 16-12 straight up, 14-14 against the spread.

I will give you my thoughts on the Oregon-Ohio State game before next Monday.

Too Many Tar Holes
North Carolina beat Clemson in basketball last Saturday night. That's not an earth-shattering event because it has happened a lot.

Sure, the loss was disappointing. But the biggest disappointment was in the stands. Clemson had no home court advantage because some Clemson fans thought it was a good idea to put their tickets on line so the Tar Hole fans could gobble them up.

There was baby blue everywhere you looked. There was a lot of baby blue in the season ticket area and even some on the front row. That should never happen. Whoever allowed it to happen, should have their season tickets revoked.

The lunatic fringe is against rebuilding Littlejohn. They see it as a waste of money. They also were against the building of the West End Zone and the indoor football practice facility. The West End Zone and indoor practice facility have had no impact on recruiting (biting my lip trying not to laugh).

It's the same deal with basketball. Top-flight recruits come to Clemson and leave laughing. Clemson basketball doesn't have any bells and whistles. Compared to the rest of the ACC, Clemson is taking a pocket knife to an AK-47 shootout. Got no chance. None.

Next season is going to be tough because the Tigers are going to play in Greenville and practice at some place to be determined.

The point is -- Brad Brownell needs some time. This year, next year, and two years after that. If there is no progress after that or the program has declined, then make a change. But don't tie one of his hands behind his back and expect him to compete in the toughest basketball league in the country.

Clemson has never been a consistent winner in basketball because there hasn't been a commitment from the school or the fans. The school is getting ready to make a major commitment. The fans need to get "All In" too. If you are a "fan" and you don't like the style, then don't go to the games. That leaves space for a new fan to develop, someone who can appreciate the effort Brownell is putting into the program. There certainly was no problem with the style when the Tigers made their run in the NIT last spring.

I remember when I first started going to Clemson basketball games, the Tigers had less talent than the rest of the ACC and played a defensive style under Tates Locke. But Littlejohn was a pit and sometimes, not all of the time, the home court made a difference. I remember coming out of Littlejohn with my ears ringing because the noise level reached jet-plane levels during the game.

Fans don't want to hear it, but Clemson is a tough basketball job. There's a story about an African-American assistant coach who was asked a few years ago if he was interested in being the head basketball coach at Clemson. He shook his head and said he would rather have an STD than be the head coach Clemson.

Next up for the Tigers is Louisville at Louisville on Wednesday night, the Cardinals' ACC home opener. Most of the time, the ACC road can be cruel. This is one of those times.

Don't Look Ethel. It Was Too Late.

What was the number of that truck? Wow, what an awful day. Wisconsin rose up, Baylor had a playoff hangover, Missouri was better than expected, Oregon ran wild over disorganized Florida State, and the best third-team quarterback I've ever seen led Ohio State to a victory over the Evil Tide Empire.

Yes, I took the doughnut. Goose egg. Nada. Zilch. I guess I should try out for a revival of Leonard's Losers.

After the carnage Thursday, my record stands at 11-11 straight up and 9-13 against the spread.

The only thing remaining is junk bowls. It is my opinion the only game that should be played after Jan. 1 in the National Championship game.

There are four games Friday, one Saturday, and one Sunday. Nobody cares, but I'm going to make selections anyway because I like the pain. Feel free to go in the opposite direction of my selections. You have my permission.

Friday, Jan. 2
Armed Forces Bowl -- Houston vs. Pittsburgh (-3.5)
These two programs are in transition. Houston has scored 31 or more points in three of its last four games. Take the Cougars and the points.

Taxslayer Bowl -- Iowa vs. Tennessee (-3.0)
I liked this bowl better when it was the Gator Bowl. Butch Jones has Tennessee moving in the right direction, and the Vols have SEC speed (LOL). Take the Vols and give the points.

Alamo Bowl -- Kansas State vs. UCLA (-1.5)
This looks like way too good of a game to be scheduled for Jan. 2. I think the Bruins will be too much for the Wildcats. Take UCLA and give the points.

Cactus Bowl -- Oklahoma State vs. Washington (-6.0)
Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy made an unusual move late in the season when he took the redshirt off of freshman quarterback Mason Rudolph, a native of Rock Hill, S.C. Rudolph has played well and led the Cowboys to an upset of Oklahoma in Norman. It has been a tough year in Stillwater, but I believe the Pokes picked up some late-season momentum in Norman. Take Okie State and the points.

Record Friday was perfect 4-0 both ways. Overall record through Friday -- 15-11 straight up, 13-13 against the spread.

Saturday, Jan. 3
Birmingham Bowl -- East Carolina vs. Florida (-7.0)
How did Florida even get to a bowl game? The Pirates can score. Give me East Carolina and the points.

Sunday, Jan. 4
GoDaddy Bowl -- Arkansas State vs. Toledo (-4.0)
I am beyond caring at this point. I just hope Danica Patrick makes a personal appearance. Ride the Rockets.

Some Thoughts On Clemson Basketball --
Several years ago during the days of Cliff Ellis, my friend Mark Packer coined a term -- "0-for-Snow." In other words, no wins in January and February. Clemson basketball would dominate its weak competition in November and December then hit the ACC schedule and start a long losing streak.

Clemson enters ACC play Saturday night at home against North Carolina. The Tigers have some good wins (Arkansas, LSU) and some bad losses (Winthrop, Gardner-Webb). The most disturbing thing about this team is its lack of improvement the first two months of the season. Since mid-November, this team has played the same way game in and game out. This team lacks a vocal leader, which means there is some passion and emotion missing.

There are major problems -- lack of outside shooting (a Clemson standard), poor free throw shooting (a Clemson standard), sloppy turnovers, lack of punch from the bench, inability to hold a lead late in the game. Head coach Brad Brownell is pushing every button he can, but the response has been limited. It is easy to see during the games that Brownell is extremely frustrated with his team.

Jaron Blossomgame and Donte Grantham are starting to make major impacts on both ends of the floor and look like an effective duo in development. But that's about the only positive. Point guard Rod Hall is not playing like a senior, and there is nobody on the bench who can help at point. The Tigers really need Landry Nnoko to start playing like he played late last season.

The first five ACC games will pose a brutal gauntlet for the Tigers -- North Carolina at home, at Louisville, at Pittsburgh, at Virginia, Syracuse at home. Thank you, John Swofford. Winning two of those would be a major accomplishment. Most pundits believe 0-for-5 is more likely.

Maybe entering ACC play will energize the Tigers and end their sleepwalking. It is way past time to get over K.J. McDaniels leaving for the NBA.

Here's hoping the Tigers can put something together. But at the moment, it doesn't look good.

New Year's Day Is Finally Here

Nailed two of three yesterday to improve my record to 11-6 straight up and 9-8 against the spread.

The Mississippi Burning that took place yesterday was a big hit for the SEC. The SEC West was billed as the toughest division in football outside of the NFL. Thanks to TCU and Georgia Tech, the SEC West has been exposed.

I am so happy today is New Year's Day. This will be the final day ESPN reminds us over and over and over that the Rose Bowl and the Sugar Bowl are being played today.

Let's quickly look at today's selections:

Outback Bowl -- Wisconsin vs. Auburn (-7)
Can Wisconsin recover from its no-show effort in the Big 10 Championship game? Can Auburn put something together after getting hammered by Georgia and Alabama? I hate the term SEC speed, but I think it makes a difference in this game. Take Auburn and give the points.

Cotton Bowl -- Michigan State vs. Baylor (-2.5)
The pundits raved about Baylor last season, and Bears promptly got upset by Central Florida in the Fiesta Bowl. Michigan State is about defense first. Playing in Dallas at Jerry World, I am sensing a statement game from the Bears. If the Bears rout the Spartans, the committee will get some well deserved criticism for not including Baylor or TCU in the four-team tournament. Take Baylor both ways.

Citrus Bowl -- Minnesota vs. Missouri (-4.5)
I look at this game and have no initial reaction. After thinking about it for a few seconds, I'm going to take the Golden Gophers and the points.

Rose Bowl Semifinal -- Florida State vs. Oregon (-8)
Nobody outside of Tallahassee believes in Florida State. The Seminoles have been sliding by the entire season. Some have called it playing bored. This is a rare match up of Heisman Trophy winners -- Florida State's Crab Leg King Jameis Winston vs. Oregon's dynamic Marcus Mariota. This looks like a shootout. It should be a shootout. I think it will be a shootout. Florida State has been on this stage before. Oregon has not. Eight is a lot of points. Most pundits believe the Ducks will roll. I don't. Take the Seminoles both ways.

Sugar Bowl Semifinal -- Ohio State vs. Alabama (-9)
Ohio State shocked the college football world by drilling Wisconsin in the Big 10 Championship game with third-team quarterback Cardale Jones at the helm. Alabama has just one blemish -- a loss to Ole Miss. Offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin has transformed the Tide offense. Kiffin said earlier this week that he would have worked in Tuscaloosa for free. Yeah, right. My evil side wants to see Ohio State pull off a miracle, rout the Tide, and cause an explosion at ESPN/SEC Lovers. But I just don't think it his going to happen. Nine is a lot of points, but take the Tide both ways.